Chapter 21: interesting

I changed my pyjamas into black pants and a loose white blouse. I left my hair down for a shield today; I went down stairs and sat on the couch in front of the big fireplace.

I looked at my watch; the sun should be up soon…it was like 5:40 in the morning. I got up and went out the porthole.

"You're up early" the fat lady said.

"Yeah…I couldn't sleep without Remus" I shrugged. I had talked a lot with the paintings the few days I was here and became good friends with many of them. I still thought it was weird to talk to paintings though, and the fact they talked back crept me out a little more.

"Well off you go then, nobody is up yet. You have the whole castle to yourself" the jolly fat lady said and I gave her a smile and nod and I was off.

I froze the stairs so they wouldn't move on me and get me lost. I thought about going to see Remus but didn't want to wake him. The moon was almost full so he needed his rest.

I hadn't seen him change yet, he doesn't want me anywhere near him when he does though. At least until he marks me, he said.

I was still scared to let him do that…I wasn't sure if he would love me in 10 years let alone forever.

He said, after he does "mark" me he won't have to worry about hurting me when he is changed, because the marking is because of the other half, the werewolf in him makes him do it, and so he'll protect me when he's changed.

I headed in the direction of his room out of instinct but I walked right passed the door so he could have some rest.

I went into the dungeon where I've only went a few times I looked at all the sleeping pictures and laughed a little when one fell out of their chair.

"Are you okay?" I asked smiling as I watched the old man get up and sit back down and fall right back to sleep without answering me.

"So you can talk" I heard a voice say from behind me. I span around fast.

I nodded my head before I took into account who was saying it. I looked and saw it was the blond haired pale kid that was staring at me during the feast.

"Now come on don't go all mute again I just heard you laugh and talk to that painting" he said pointing behind me.

"Halliwell was it…I'm Draco, Draco Malfoy" he said holding out his hand I just looked at it and then back to his face.

"What are you doing down here anyways? At this time" he asked looking at me suspiciously.

"Couldn't sleep? Me neither" he said after I didn't answer him again. I was told of the Malfoy family they were followers of Voldomort, apparently this Draco's dad was a "death eater" and he was destined to become one himself if we wasn't already. But he seemed nice to me…he seemed normal. But hey I could be wrong.

"I've got a very…big…thing I have to do…that I don't really want to do…I'm not my father you know" he said and I wasn't sure if he was still talking to me or not because he was still looking at me but he was sort of staring out into space.

"How old are you?" he asked after a long silence.

"Come on there's no one here…I wont tell anyone what you say…I promise" he said walking closer to me.

I was so attracted by this boy…not in the I think he's hot way…but his magic…his personality I know nobody else has ever seen, he's always been the bad boy, the son of the death eater.

"17" I answer remembering the asked me how old I was.

"What happened to you? Why did you have to move here?" he asked his eyes full of curiosity and something else I couldn't quite place.

"my mother died…and my sister" I said admitting why I didn't go back with my sisters…its been 3 years since she's died, and I still miss her, I still wish she were here. Going back to the manor again would just remind me too much of her, so I stayed.

"I'm sorry…I know how you feel…my father just got locked up, I'll never see him again." He said.

"I never knew my father…he walked out just after I was born…I think he's dead now though, like my mother, nobody could find him so I was sent here" I sighed looking around the big stone hall. I had no idea where that story came from but I was glad it was partly true; I didn't know Victor at all. He could be dead for all we cared, as Prue use to always say.

"If you don't mind me asking…how did they die?" he asked.

"My mother drowned…and…my sister was murdered" I said not sure how to put "she was killed by a demon" in a more suitable way.

"I guess it's safe to say you don't like America then hey" he said with a quirky smile and raised eyebrows.

"I guess so huh" I said trying to imitate his smile but failing rather miserably.

"What house are you in?" he asked leaning against the wall.

"Gryffindor" I said.

"That's too bad…I was hoping we could be friends" he said but making no effort to walk away.

"Why can't we be?" I asked

"well since Lupin is your uncle I'm guessing you know of the order…well you see my family and them don't exactly see eye to eye, and most of their kids are in Gryffindor. If we were to be friends…well that would just start a whole big battle, I'm sure I wouldn't win" he pursing his lips.

"Do you like this…line that seems to be drawn here?" I asked wondering if he really wasn't his father.

"The truth…no…but I do what is expected of me. This line was drawn long time ago Halliwell, and we aren't going to be the ones to break it" he said then he looked me in the eye and we stood there for a while just looking at each other.

"It's Piper…people call my mother, grandmother, sometimes my older sister Halliwell. But not me okay" I said wincing; I had never said all of them together like that before.

"Piper" he said like I had just given him the most amazing gift of all.

"Ms. Halliwell, Mr. Malfoy isn't it a bit early for mingling?" I heard McGonagall say and I looked over my shoulder and then back to Draco.

"Just wait a sec" I said hoping he would stay put.

"I think I should go now…nice meeting you Piper" he said then he was about to leave when I caught his arm.

"No please just wait" I said then he nodded his head and I quickly went over to McGonagall.

"Please…Minerva…he's not like his father. Let me talk to that boy…maybe I can get through to him" I said fully knowing she hated the fact I was here instead of waiting for Harry to wake up.

"His father just about killed Sirius last year Piper and there is word young Draco will be initiated as soon as possible. Possibly over the next holiday" she whispered.

"Maybe not, we can't just sit and wait for it to happen…he really opened up to me…I think I can save him, and all of the innocent people he could hurt if he goes through with this" I said praying to god that she accepts. This boy could have a future if we just help him a little. He doesn't have to hurt anyone.

"Alright fine, but you must know him and Potter are less then good friends. I think it is called…arch-enemies" she said then she turned and walked off with her robe flowing behind her.

"This should be interesting" I mumbled turning around to see that Draco had left. I groaned and started my walk back to the Gryffindor tower.

SO…is Draco evil, or is he an innocent trapped in a situation only Piper could help him out of? I've never really saw it like this but I thought I would try it…please review….it would be much appreciated.