Draco Malfoy has always been driven with the need to prove himself somehow, that is how it was and that is the way it would always be. He knew that the things he had done in the past were not favored by many people, and knew that he had burnt many bridges along the way. Sowing the preverbal seeds in his life, as it were, he had no choice but to reap them now. Draco was instantly drawn from his deep self-musing at the sound of a low heady whimper below him, and he looked down curiously.

His eyes widened instantly at the sight below him – Hermione Granger, his self proclaimed sworn enemy, her head tossed to one side with her eyes clenched shut, a furious red blush stained her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Her beguiling breast peered out from the top of her unbuttoned school shirt, the dark navy bra-playing peek – a – boo against the strained white fabric, and her arms posed above her head where he held them there in one hand, entangled with hers in those curled locks.

It took Draco only a split second to take all of this in to account, along with the shuddering breaths she drew and it was then he noticed his own unsteady breathing sweetly accompanying her own. He closed his and grimaced as the creamy white legs wrapped around his hips involuntarily quivered. What exactly had he been thinking, he thought to himself bitterly. That Natalia was tormenting his thoughts, making him do unnecessary things it seemed.

The hand that had not been busy holding the girl, below him, down squeezed slightly before he noticed just where it was. As it were it just so happened to be mere inches, maybe even millimeters from one of the twin pliant globes that still strained against the innocently pallid shirt, which at the moment looked inviting to his hungry, but wary eyes. Groaning he pushed himself away reluctantly, only expecting the worse of this situation when he noticed that Granger had opened her eyes slowly and looked back at him eyes bright with unshed tears.

He stood slowly washing away any emotion that might have been evident on his face and slipped his hands in his pocket as he turned his back to her still prone figure; afraid that he would not be able to keep a tight reign on the emotions welling deep in him. Visibly he flinched when he heard the ruffle of her cloths as she sat up and spoke.

"What the hell was that Malfoy?" she whispered in a broken voice, but he could not answer for a moment.

What was that? He wondered. Was he jealous that Natalia had found someone that made her happy, the way he had all those years ago, when she was actually his? Yes, his blood did boil at the thought of Potter and his Nightingale together intimately or even casually, and just how did Granger fit into his sick twisted train of thought? He had no clear-cut answer...well actually he had no answer at all.

"I don't know Granger. Chalk it up to momentary insanity." He turned to perhaps deliver another snappish comment until he noticed her face littered with tears and shinning as they dripped persistently. Her face was not grimaced or twisted repugnantly like most would have been while shedding the saline liquid, but instead it was almost passive, her brow furrowed slightly and her lips trembling faintly.

Draco turned sharply back around in the direction of his bedroom and grunted as he stepped up to the door opening it. Before he disappeared beyond its threshold he turned his head, ignoring the locks of bleach blond hair that feel into his eyes.

"Sorry…"

--

"Sorry…"

Hermione's breathe felt like it stopped at that one simple word. Her chest heaved, and her throat tightened. Closing her eyes she shook her head. Confused? That would be an understatement. Surprised? Not so much. Hermione wondered to herself just how long she had been deluding herself in the relationship between her boyfriend and herself.

Easy answer: probably from the beginning.

Now more complicated question: What the hell was that just now with Malfoy? Better yet why hadn't she already broken down his door and killed him the good old fashion muggle way?

Answer: Not so easy, and no ready solution to it.

Closing her eyes Hermione stood slowly moaning softly as she did. She wanted nothing more then to just crumble back down and lay there for the rest of the night, but a hot bubble bath for the next hour and a quick nip down in the kitchens sounded even better. That's the way to do it, keep yourself occupied with things that make you feel good, because the minute you start thinking about things that you don't think are bothering you, you end up a jumbled messy heap of blubbering goop, she preached to herself silently.

So turning herself and shakily walking to the bathroom on rubbery legs she prepared herself the bath she hoped would calm her nearly shattering nerves.

--

Lucius had to admit being a free man was wonderful, and what was better was that he still had contacts to do his dirty work. He had gotten information on his still loyal 'friend' Zabini's lovely little niece. The blond chuckled as he crossed his long legs in his seat on the cushioned sofa. Zabini was a fool, he thought to himself, as he let his eyes shift around the small flat. It was repulsive to him, but he endured for the time being because he wanted nothing more then to see her walk through the front door and the expression on her face when she realized that he was there waiting for her.

He had things that needed to be discussed in earnest because as much as he really hated to admit it, the Malfoy name was on the verge of blinking out. Lucius knew that if he was going to rebuild the pure blood family back strong he had to act now and lay all his pieces down on the board. Of course that didn't keep him from having a few cards, so to say, tucked up his sleeve.

It was late in the evening, edging on eight or so, and all he had to do now was wait. And wait he did, but not long, because he could see as well as hear the knob to the front door fumble slightly as it was opened. In stumbled the exact person he wanted along with someone he didn't.

Lucius waited until she was a good five feet away from him before he let a smirk creep onto his lips.

"Good evening my dear Shanna," he purred and grinned wider as she stiffened and gripped the man behind her.

"Lucius," she hissed back which only served to spur his amusement. Of course he was not disappointed in her reaction. Her pretty pale features hardened with hatred and her lip curled up in a snarl. She looked as if she wanted to spit on him. He chuckled lightly at the thought and shook his head as he stood.

"How are you this evening?" He asked conversationally.

"Oh I was doing great until I came home only to find it filled with vermin," she snipped back unpleasantly.

"Now, now, that's terribly rude, I know you grew up learning much more manners then that."

Lucius watched as she sucked in a sharp breath and relaxed almost instantly, her face cleaned blank and her grip gone from the man behind her.

"That's better," he said softly, but still with the same arrogant smirk plastered to his face. "I would hate to think that we couldn't talk civilly to one another."

He watched as she 'humpf'd' at the statement and crossed her arms defensively under her chest.

"How did you get in here, Lucius?"

"Please can't we chat over nice cup of tea? I have things I would like to talk with you about." He answered, avoiding the question all together. Of course he would never tell her how exactly he got in or how he knew where she lived; All though the information was far from hard to come by.

With out saying anything she walked to the kitchen with the man in close pursuit leaving the blond to retake his seat. When Shanna returned some time later walking behind the man as he carried a tray and tea set he waited comfortably by fiddling with the crown of his cane.

"Alright enough with the pleasantries Lucius, what are you here for?" Shanna muttered as she sipped on her steaming drink.

"Business as usual I see," he said with amusement.

"Indeed, it is the only way with your kind."

Lucius nodded thoughtfully as he finally picked up his drink and shipped it experimentally. Apparently she hadn't lost her taste of finer things noting it to be a particularly expensive blend.

"You might be wondering what I'm doing here? Yes, of course you are," he waved a hand dismissively in the air. "Well it just so happens that I know that you have made contact with your cousin."

"And?"

"What I need from you, is what you have said to her," he said simply. Shanna laughed dryly.

"What concern is it of you?"

"It is every concern to me," Lucius said with a slight edge of mock hurt. "Because I don't plan on letting my family name come to an end, Shanna."

His tone dropped dangerously as he eyed her. He knew very well how much Natalia hung to her half blood cousin's words, and took them seriously. It was no lie that they had grown up together and she was like another sister, not just a cousin.

"Well, you and my dear Uncle can do what you will to me, but I can guarantee that neither of you will get your greedy claws into Natalia," Shanna said calmly as she set her cup down and crossed her own legs.

"Even if it meant your life?" He hissed as he sat forward.

"Even if meant my life," she said with out hesitation. Lucius let an irritated grunt pass through his lips. The woman was just to stubborn for her own good. "You will not get what you want from me, not by means of torture, threat of death or even Occlumency. You can thank my Uncle for that one," she made a vague motion towards her blind eyes. Yes he could see clearly that he would not be able to read her mind that away seeing as how he needed to make eye contact with her, and she probably knew that he was not a very strong occlumen's to begin with.

"Well, Shanna, there are other ways to find out what I want to know. There are always ways," he said as he pushed down his impatience. "Just know that it could not only mean your life coming to and end, but…others as well."

She arched an eyebrow and gave him a disbelieving look before she picked back up her cup and took a sip.

"I do think you've made your point, Lucius. I'll watch my own back, but," she paused and gave him a small smile. "Just make sure you watch your own."

"Oh, threats do not become you my dear."

She hummed and didn't make a move as he apparated out of her apartment.

--

When the morning came for Draco it was actually pleasant as long as he didn't allow his thoughts to drift to the previous night. And as luck was being somewhat generous with him that morning, he didn't even spy either girl's always present in the back of his mind upon exiting his room or on his way down to the Great Hall. He carefully kept up his usual indifferent, passive, and cold mask as he slowly walked through the milling morning crowds. For a brief moment he thought he would actually be able to enjoy a breakfast, but as he entered the Great Hall, and his eyes rested on his house table he knew that something was amiss.

Almost every pair of eyes there was locked onto him, and much to his chagrin, it made him hesitate. He brushed the feeling off as he walked up to his place and sat down next to Blaise. Draco closed his eyes and held in a sigh of irritation before reopening them and pinning his friend with a glare.

"What is it?" Draco let his gaze wonder around to the faces surrounding him, and he couldn't stop the slowing creeping impression of trepidation. Blaise finally coughed to draw his attention back to him and handed Draco a neat white envelope. At seeing it, Draco had to resist the urge to jerk away. There was nothing dangerous looking about the inoffensive looking paper that startled him; it was the wax seal that was pressed out on it, now laying face up for everyone to see.

Drawing in a deep breath he could only close his eyes in hopes that when he reopened them, that small envelope would be gone. It seemed luck and fate had only been toying him, and now they were opening mocking him. Cracking his eyes he tried to resettle his flaccid mask, but knew that his paled skin gave it away just how nervous he was.

With a small frown he reached for it and trying not to hesitate as he cracked it open. He didn't need to read this letter to know whom it was from, and neither did any of the tables occupants. No doubt if they didn't see the seal they saw the owl delivering it.

"Father…"

Yes, it was undoubtedly from his father, because Lucius was always such a predictable man. Not one for tact or changing traditions, his father had always used a certain type of currier, more often then not the Eurasian Owl. With out a word, and clenched jaw, Draco stood and motioned for his child hood friend to follow.

Things were about to get a bit messy, and as much as he didn't want to approach the sharp-clawed little Nightingale, he had no choice.

"Father, just what do you have planned…"

--

It didn't take long to see that Natalia was not in the Great Hall that morning eating breakfast, at the Slytherin or Ravenclaw house tables, which led Blaise and Draco to start their search of the castle grounds. Draco knew that if Blaise saw his cousin with Potter, a small blood bath would start. He didn't like the idea of a pure blood such as Natalia being with Potter any more then his friend, but it was of small consequence compared to what the contents of the letter. His insides squirmed uncomfortably as they continued to walk searching for the dark haired beauty, and his guts felt as though they were being tumbled about by over zealous toddler.

Taking a deep breath Draco and Blaise approached the edge of the Black Lake and took a look around. It was the blond that spotted them first, and he cut his gaze to his friends' back, which was conveniently to the couple. Clenching his jaw then quickly licking his lips he stepped in front of Blaise and looked deliberately in the wrong direction.

"How about we split up, you go towards the green houses, Natalia likes to go there sometimes in the mornings," Draco said steadily, but avoided looking at the boy directly. Blaise nodded nonetheless and headed in the direction. He waited until hot-tempered Zabini was far enough away before turning and heading towards the couple. As he approached, the couple was oblivious to his presence and nauseatingly wrapped up in each other.

Draco stopped short of them and looked at them for a moment before clearing his throat to catch their attention. At the noise they both looked up startled and Potter frowned instantly.

"Before you start, Potter, I need to speak with Natalia about something very important," Draco paused before plastering on his trademark smirk. "Alone."

"Che cosa e esso, Draco?" ("What is it Draco,") Natalia asked softly in Italian.

Draco dropped his smirk and looked off, "We need to speak in private."

"Non sta andando da nessuna parte. Che cosa voi desiderano?" ("He is not going anywhere. What do you want?" )

Sighing he turned back to the girl still held firmly in the boy who lived arms before scowling more fiercely at her stubbornness.

"Fine, sembra che abbiamo problemi 'famiglia' non finita del che devono essere discussi. Sen non lo disiberate peruna scena suggerisca che venite con me." ("Fine, it seems we have unfinished 'family' problems that need to be discussed. If you do not wish for a scene I suggest you come with me." )

Draco noticed Harry's gaze shift curiously back and forth between the two as they spoke.

"What do you mean?" Natalia said forgoing to speak her native tongue and raising an inquiring eyebrow at him. Draco didn't say anything as he slipped a hand into the folds of his school robes and pulled out the same envelope he received in the Great Hall. He watched with mild satisfaction as Natalia's eyes widened slightly as she caught sight of the seal. Her stare slowly shifted to towards Harry's before she stood carefully, leaving her boyfriend sitting on the grass.

With an irritated sigh Draco looked away as she bent down to kiss him and mumble something to placate him. The Malfoy heir grasped her upper arm when she approached and steered her away until they stood at the shore of the lake.

"Okay, what is this about Draco," Natalia asked as she nudged a fat rock with the toe of her shoe.

Without saying anything he handed her the letter and gave her a moment to read it through.

"I assume you know what this means?" He questioned as he watched her out of the corner of his peripheral as her small hands tightened around the paper and her jaw muscles twitched in anger.

"We need to see Shanna," she finally said. "She will now more about what is going on."

"I have no doubt that father has already gone to see her. He is not a man that is easily put off about something and is annoyingly informed about things he ought not be."

Natalia nodded in agreement, "I will write my cousin and ask her about this. Does Blaise now?"

"He is the one that gave it to me this morning."

"I see," she said softly before letting a whispered string of curses in Italian.

"It would probably be better not to see Shanna about this. My father more the likely has people watching her, and there is not much telling what he will do. I'm sure that Azkaban has done a number on his sanity," Draco smirked before ducking his head. "Not like he had much sanity to begin with."

"True," Natalia replied with amusement. "But Draco, she is probably the most informed about this matter then anyone else. Perhaps she can help us in someway."

She turned to face him fully then and forced him to look at her as well.

"You know I wouldn't have objected to this a couple of years ago, but our time to be together has passed and neither one of us deserve to be wrangled into something that either one of us will be unhappy with."

Draco nodded in understanding and looked over his shoulder and smirked. "I suppose you'll be happy with some like him, right?"

Natalia followed his gaze and smiled slightly. "I believe so."

She looked back at the tall blond before walking past him and pausing when their shoulders were flush together. "And I also believe that you'll find someone that will make you happy. Someone that is not me, but qualcuno forte capo quanto voi." Natalia pressed the letter from Lucius back in his hand.

Draco turned sharply as she walked away and watched her inertly.