Draco,

Holiday is coming soon and I expect to see you at our vineyard in Venice with Natalia. You and your bride to be must be present to begin the planning of your wedding. This bonding of families will create a new breed of pure bloods superior to any other, once you both graduate from Hogwarts both me and her father see fit for you to be married at once and as soon as that happens I expect a MALE grandson no later then the end of next year understood?

Natalia is the perfect wife for you, if you don't see her fit then simply find a mistress who satisfies those needs she can't. Yet don't allow any of them to bear your child we needn't any bastard children trying to claim our fortune. Although Natalia doesn't seem like the type to leave you wanting more, yes that girl is perfect to bear my grandson and the children to come after that. I expect you here as soon as possible and keep your eye on that girl. Don't let her get to close to anybody if she gets away from you again the price will be heavy for both of you.

Lucius

Natalia tried to put that note in the back of her mind as she walked back to Harry who was currently lost in his own thoughts as he stared off into the black lake. She herself stopped to take him in.

Was she really letting herself fall for the 'Great' Harry Potter?

The strength he had both physically, emotionally and mentally was astonishing to her and even though he had lost so much and been hurt by so many he still allowed her into his heart. Granted the first month or two were extremely rocky due to denied attractions, Natalia didn't know what to do with these emotions building up much to quickly for her liking. All she knew was if these feelings were anything like what she felt for Draco the it wouldn't be long before Harry too found that she wasn't sufficient enough for him as well.

It isn't like this matters to him we've only just started a relationship, I'm just here until the end of school then I'll be gone and he'll forget about me.

Will I about him?

I must, I won't allow any one to hurt me anymore.

But I think I'm falling in love.

Love is for sad FOOLS! This isn't love Natalia you know this isn't about love! Love isn't real!.

...Love isn't real.

Exactly I just need to remind myself I'll be fine.

...Love isn't real.

So then why was it that her heart felt like it was breaking just by thinking that he didn't care? And what was the explanation for the tears escaping her eyes? Before she had time to register that she was crying Harry was rushing towards her concern shone in his eyes as he cupped her face and kissed her forehead as a form of comfort.

"What's wrong Natalia?" She cried harder, yet smiled.

"Nothing why would anything be wrong?" He looked at her worried even more so and wrapped his arms around her small body as she let herself cry into Harry.

"Is this about your canceled marriage?" The tears stopped and her sadness was replaced with shock.

"How do you know about that?" Her tear filled eyes stared at him quizzically, he looked off to the side a guilty look on his face.

"Well I happened to over hear your argument with Malfoy, that's why I was worried he may have said something to hurt you." Harry was ready for the fire to shoot out her eyes for his eavesdropping yet all she did was force the tears back and hug him tighter as a sign that she needed comfort and he complied squeezing her as tightly as he dared.

"I don't want to marry Draco, Harry how can I marry someone I don't trust? Let alone love. My father promised me I wouldn't have to but ever since Lucius was released from Azkaban it seems that the only person's happiness he cares about is his and Mr. Malfoy's."

"You deserve better than Malfoy, you shouldn't have to cry because he can't see that a girl like you is one in a million, your everything that a man could want and all your little quarks, like your ridiculously short fuse that a simple wrong look can set off, or the way you rant in Italian leaving the rest of us in a state of confusion and fear, even the way you refuse to eat anything you haven't seen or helped cook they make you so special. I haven't met a girl who loves spiders yet can't stand mud, who's so unbelievably sexy yet prefers to play a game of quidditch or football over being inside and reading some magazines while eating bonbons." Harry saw the smile on Natalia's face and the slight blush forming on her cheeks from the compliments she was receiving. "You may think all men are like Malfoy or will end up like him, but there are some of us who actually think with the head on our shoulders and not the one in our pants." Harry kissed her cheeks, forehead, nose and finally placed a sweet tender kiss on her lips that took Natalia's breath away.

"And better yet there are some of us who prefer our hearts over either head." She laughed and the merriment on her face over the previous misery caused Harry to break out into an uncontrollable grin as well as he hugged her.

"You make it difficult to not believe the words you say." Natalia whispered, her comment threw Harry off and he asked.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because if I fall in love then what?"

"Then we just see where the road takes us." Natalia rolled her eyes, she really hated that stupid metaphor but loved the sentiment Harry meant. Yet all the sweet words he spoke did nothing for the dread she felt at the knowledge that if something didn't happen soon come this time next year she'd be with child, Draco's child and her life would be nothing like she would have wanted. In the distance they heard the bell ring and Natalia sighed.

"You go ahead I want to think for a bit."

"And leave me alone so Helios can breathe down MY neck? What kind of girlfriend are you?" Harry accused.

"The kind who has her boyfriend wrapped around her finger of course." With that she gave him his farewell kiss as she watched him walk back up to the castle she couldn't help but let her eyes roam his body.

That boy was BLESSED with looks and a body, god help me.

She giggled at that one thought before retreating back to her and Harry's special tree and plopping down on the floor alone in her thoughts Natalia finally felt like maybe she could sort everything out one problem at a time.

I can't marry Draco I don't want to throw my life away.

Natalia tossed around the idea of maybe marrying but still seeing other people, but quickly threw it out the second time she considered it.

"No! I won't do that it isn't fair to anyone, we deserve better than a false marriage." Natalia felt even more frustration building up as she caught sight of Harry's young female friend walking along the shoreline of the black lake, noticing she had yet to spot Natalia, she decided to hide and quickly ran behind the old tree it's roots shielding the small girl from view.

Hermione couldn't get the feeling of Malfoy's hands roaming her body away, she simply closed her eyes or let her mind wander and she'd feel him on top of her again his hands touching her in places that no one had ever dared to get near, yet true to his persona he didn't give a bloody rat's ass and violated her body in such a pleasurable way that Hermione almost didn't mind.

And that made her sick to her stomach, that Draco Bloody Malfoy, her worst enemy. The epitome of everything she loathed and despised in a person and in this world could have caused her a sick amount of pleasure just with his hands and mouth. She plopped down in front of an old tree that provided shade and protection against the November winds, staring down at the ground she began to pull on grass beneath her.

She hadn't been able to think about anything other than the events that took place the day before, from having to confront the fact that Ron had been cheating on her since they arrived back to Hogwarts to Draco nearly "raping" her on the common room floor. She hugged her knees close to her chest and felt tears falling from her eyes, how could she have been so naïve as to allow herself to get played like a game. Then permit herself to get felt up by the one man on earth she would have bet money on never getting anywhere near her or her body. Sure her life hadn't been perfect far from it to be honest, but this was utter catastrophe. Hermione was thinking of resigning her position and telling McConagall, how could she walk into the Head's common room without reliving what had happened less than 24 hours ago? She didn't want to let Draco win, but it seemed like all he had done this year was make her life a living breathing hell.

"How could I be so stupid as to allow that to happen even for a second?" God I couldn't be anymore dumb. It was bloody Malfoy, simply because Ron cheated didn't mean I had to let him do this to me." Hermione cried.

Meanwhile the unknown second presence made a clean exit and ran up to the school to walk maybe through the gardens, because now she had much more thinking to do.

[iWhat exactly did you do with that young muggle born? Draco Malfoy you really are a Dragon[/i

Blaise Zabini couldn't help but worry about his cousin, granted this had been the biggest disagreement they had but he didn't want his Nightingale unhappy. He had forgotten completely about his class and was busy searching the grounds for her. He spotted Natalia what seemed like hours later making her way slowly towards the Green House he was just stepping out of, for a second he began to rush away but instead stood at the door and waited. She was so consumed by her thoughts of an impending marriage Blaise assumed she didn't realize anyone other than her, not until they were nearly face to face did she finally snap out of her mind and look blankly at Blaise.

Unsure of what to say Natalia looked down in an almost shameful manner, what could she say to her cousin after she blew up on him then went and back stabbed him by starting a relationship with Harry, that she couldn't see herself ending any time soon. Because other then being extremely attractive and an even better kisser, amongst other things she was beginning to find out above everything else he was quickly becoming her best friend and not even Blaise could keep her from him. But Blaise was also her best friend always there for her when her father beat her or her sister tormented her with truths she didn't want to confront. She couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye until she heard him speak.

"Ciao là bellezza. (hi there Beautiful) I've missed you Nightingale, I wasn't right in-" Blaise's apology was cut short as Natalia flung her arms over his neck and kissed his cheeks repeatedly apologizing over and over again.

"Milione volte spiacenti spiacenti spiacenti sopra sono spiacente (sorry sorry sorry a million times over I'm sorry) please forgive me for taking out my anger on you cousin it's just things haven't gone exactly as I had thought and now with this marriage issue? I can't marry Draco knowing the value he places on fidelity and me as well, how can I allow him to cheat? I am no one's fool Blaise and I will not be his again." Natalia said as she pulled away Blaise smiled sweetly and chuckled at her paranoid rambling, hugging her tightly he petted her hair as a form of calming.

"Breathe Natalia, I'm sure this will get worked out soon enough but for the time being when vacation comes please don't do anything that might make your father or sir Malfoy suspect anything other then that you are going to marry Draco and become the next Lady of Malfoy Manor." Sensing her impending arguing Blaise quickly continued.

"Only for the holidays cousin, once we come back Lucius will surely have put less surveillance around Shanna's flat and we will be able to meet with her and discuss this all calmly, we all know that she is the master of plots." Natalia sighed and nodded.

"Very well, now what are you doing out of class Mr. Zabini? What would zia Gianna do if she heard that her only baby were skipping classes?" Natalie teased her cousin as he was always aiming to make his mother proud, although she was portrayed as unattentive towards Blaise she loved him very much and doted on him hand and foot. So Blaise felt the need to show his gratitude by excelling at anything he tried. Yet Blaise seemingly unfazed by Natalia's teasing merely wrapped an arm around her shoulder and they walked through the gardens of Hogwarts.

"And what might I add will she say when she learns that her favorite niece has been spending more time out of class then in? hmm nightingale? I mean I'm sure that she wouldn't be pleased to know that your head is more focused on a certain green eyed classmate of ours and not your divination or charms homework." Natalia's face turned as red as the roses and she looked to the ground.

"What are you talking about Blaise? Look over here! These flowers are simply gorgeous." Natalia ran to a meadow of white royal lilies and tried to ignore the feel of Blaise's eyes upon her. Yet his gaze burned into her very core and she knew that she had been caught.

Her cousin knelt down beside her and focused his attention on a particular lily that stuck out from the rest.

"Lying is not befitting for a beauty like you Nightingale, it wasn't difficult to figure out that there was something between you and Potter." Natalia felt tears of guilt welling up and she forced them back as she looked the other way from her cousin who was now gently picking up the white lily outlined in a marvelous shade of blue. He placed a hand on her shoulder but she pulled away and hugged her knees to her chest as she was losing the fight to her tears. Blaise lifted her chin up and looked into her teary brown eyes.

"It wasn't difficult to figure out that you were angry at me for making you promise to stay away from him, and I had a feeling saying that would push you into his arms quicker, I have my reasons for wanting you to stay away from him, a great deal of them are for your chastity and virtue." Both cousins laughed for highly different reasons and Blaise continued.

"I would hate to know what would happen if it were found out that you and him have a relationship but I take it I won't be able to convince you to end it anytime soon right?" Natalia shook her head.

"Not for all the money in the world cousin, I wanted to honor you but I felt the need for my own happiness." Blaise smiled and moved some hair behind her ear before placing the lily there.

"I guess that should be enough for me right? But so help me god if he harms you or tries anything with you Nightingale I will make sure to kill the boy who lived!" Natalia laughed at her cousin's protective intuition for her and found she had missed her "guard dog".

"I understand caro cugino."

"There is one more thing you must understand?"

"What is that cousin?" She looked at her cousin quizzically as they sat in the field of flowers like they used to when they were younger back in Naples before he moved to England.

"You and Harry mustn't be together in public, that me and Draco know is one thing but if word gets back to Lucius that your not indeed with Draco all hell will break loose and I don't want to be there when him and your father hear that instead of focusing on your marriage your focusing on Harry Potter that is a can of worms that none of us want to open." Natalia knew in the back of her mind that this would happen of course it would, it wasn't like just because Voldemort was gone all his bigot followers would disappear as well. Yet to have to hear it from her cousin that this relationship with Harry would have to remain secret probably as long as it lasted was a horrible reminder of her heritage and the traditions and views she was expected to uphold, in one month her Blaise and Draco would be on a train back to Italy and for two weeks time she'd have to be "devoted" to Draco's every whim and knowing the cheeky bastard he was he'd taunt her with it, the only good thing about this entire situation was she'd be able to take out her frustrations on him when they were on the privacy of their most likely joined bedroom.

"I hate father." Was all she said as rage consumed her.

"I know you do amore but you mustn't allow him to get to you so much. Now come let's go before we get caught." Natalia looked at her older cousin and smiled a smile that Blaise knew all to well.

"But cugginnoo, we've already spent this long out of class why not stroll the school yard I'm sure sir Hagrid wouldn't mind us sitting in on his class with the first years, I love the animals he has there and maybe we can see the thestrals and-"

"Natalia! We must get to class." Natalia pasted a saddened faced and her lower lip trembled as she got teary eyed and nodded sadly, beaten once again Blaise sighed and shook his head.

"Una attualmente delle vostre rotture di coccodrillo non lo imbroglierà più (One of these days your crocodile tears won't fool me anymore)FIne let's go." Instantly Natalia's sad face was replaced with one of glee and she tackled her cousin in a bear hug and showered him in kissed.

"I love you, il mio orso di orsacchiotto (my teddy bear)" She told Blaise in a baby voice as she giggled and screamed as he tried to catch her.

Off in the distance in a classroom miserable alone Harry spotted his girlfriend and her cousin running through a field of Lilies and aside from feeling a content feeling in his stomach he also reminded himself to be mad at Natalia for having him do all the work in this class.

Well at least until she kisses it better.

Harry smiled at the pleasant events that would be awaiting him during lunch, then frowned as Helios screamed at him to get his head out of the clouds.

Scratch that she better have something better than kisses.

Harry that as a mischievous smirk crossed his face and he spent the rest of class fantasizing possible ways for Natalia to apologize to him.