Chapter 7: Octavia's Story

Draco woke the next morning with a splitting headache. Sunlight peeked through the draperies. Groaning, Draco forced himself out of bed.

"Here," Blaise said, handing him a vile. "Hangover potion."

"Thanks," Draco mumbled. "What bloody well happened?" Draco asked after drinking the potion. "I feel as though my heads been repeatedly bashed into a rock."

"You drank probably three bottle's worth of wine last night after meeting with Augustan Mello."

Draco winced. "I remember meeting him. It's not something I could easily forget."

Once he was feeling better, Draco joined the others going to the Great Hall. It was then he realized how hungry he actually was.

After eating, he and the others went to class. The day couldn't go slower. Little by little, Draco remembered the events after meeting with Mello and each time, he felt a pang of intense guilt.

When Lunch finally came, Draco sat between Pansy and Millicent. He wrapped his arms around them. "Sorry, girls," he said. "I was really freaked out. I didn't mean to yell at you—"

Draco felt their hands on his head and felt the pressure as they slammed his face into the mash potatoes.

"We forgive you," Pansy smirked.

"We just needed to get revenge first."

Draco used a finger to wipe off what was on his face and licked it little by little. "Nummy." Millicent and Pansy burst into laughter. "Now I'm at the mercy of another vampire…" His heart sank. Mercy was an understatement. It would be a miracle to win Octavia's forgiveness. He pushed his plate away, as not to repeat landing in the mash potatoes and laid his head on the table. "I'm doomed!"

"Don't worry about it," Millicent said. "I'm willing to help for a price."

Draco looked up. "Name it."

"Ten galleons."

Draco held up his money bag. "I'll give you twenty if you help me now."

Millicent smirked. "Done." Draco counted out the money and handed it to her. "I know you're not much of a Muggle fan, but I suggest learning some Shakespeare. Also, get a red rose. Be genteel, suave. This isn't just any girl here, Draco. This is a tenth century maiden, not just one of us. She'll be expecting some higher level wooing. Not just a simple apology like what worked with us."

"Not to mention, she'll expect you to act like a knight—she expects to be revered," Pansy chimed.

"You're not going to do a demonstration are you?" Draco asked.

"Would you like us too?"

"Tempting, but nah."

"Got it?"

"Woo her like a Shakespearian actor, get a red rose, and sweep her off her feet. Yeah, I think I got it."

"Good luck."

"I'll need it." Draco stood and left. He had no time for class! He had work to do.

Draco sat in the library and read through a few chapters of Shakespearian sonnets—at least what he could find. There were hardly any at Hogwarts, so finding anything relating to Shakespeare was quite rare…

Once he believed he had an idea of what to expect, he worked on a sonnet of his own.

Of course, Draco knew next to nothing about Shakespeare, so writing the sonnet was…shall we say…quite the challenge?

Once two hours passed, Draco slumped his shoulders and leaned back in the chair, giving way to defeat. He contemplated what he should do and decided that the best he could do would be to just give a grander heartfelt apology to Octavia.

He began to write again.

I'm sorry. He paused. It was a start, even if it was stupid. I'm sorry I hurt you. I never would have said it if I was in my right mind. I was downright scared then and amazed that I stood up to him and lived. Octavia, if you want someone brave to protect you from Mello, I'm not the guy you want. I'm a cowardly Slytherin. So please don't expect me to run straight into the jaws of death for you or anyone.

Octavia, I've done some very horrible things. I've tried to kill a man all last year and succeeded with the help of a teacher. I'm a lot like Mello. I am, I'm sorry to say, a Mello—don't ask me how, I just found out recently.

If you want to find someone else to keep you safe from him, there are countless Gryffindors in the school who might be willing—

He stopped. And he realized. Octavia had no one else to turn to. No matter how much of a coward he was, he was all she had.

Draco tore the parchment and packed his things. If it weren't for him, she'd still be in the coffin her own father put her in. If anything, the Gryffindors might crucify her—he doubted it, but he didn't think it'd be a good idea. They were a very quick-to-act bunch.

And he knew that the Slytherins were getting along with her quite well.

He stood and began walking back to Slytherin Common Room. Draco had not felt the resonance for a while, for which he was grateful.

Draco stopped at the wall where he would enter into the Common Room. He paused, wondering if it'd be wise to go in there at that moment and speak with the Vampire Maiden.

No, he thought, it wouldn't be wise. But I might as well go in and get it over with anyway. Draco said the password and entered.

Octavia was nowhere in the common room. He headed to the boys' dormitory. He knocked on his closet door.

"What time be it?" Octavia said groggily.

"You don't have to come out, just listen," Draco said.

"Ah," Octavia sneered. "Here be my tamer."

"I know what I'm about to say might not be the apology you might expect or want, but just hear me out. It's true you've been called my pet, but I never thought of you like that. You're still a person, even if you're a Vampire. Before I met you, I thought that Vampires and Werewolves were something less than human. Animals even. But after having a werewolf for a teacher and meeting you, I learned that you're more human than even some Wizards and Witches.

"I'm sorry for calling you my pet."

Octavia was silent. Draco waited, dreading each moment that passed.

"What time be it?" she asked again.

"Er? It's almost three in the afternoon," Draco answered. "Why?"

There was another pause. The door to closet swung open and Octavia grabbed Draco's shirt and, with strength that was numerous times stronger than Draco thought possible, pulled him into the closet.

"Bit squished," Draco muttered. He glanced at her. "What is it?"

"Be silent," she ordered. Her eyes blazed like a red flame. Draco whimpered slightly when her hand touched his neck. She undid his tie and unbuttoned his shirt a little bit.

Octavia kept a firm hold on Draco as she pressed her lips to his neck. Draco inhaled sharply when she embedded her teeth into his neck.

Draco relaxed after a moment, letting out his breath slowly. His eyelids began to droop. He felt himself drifting into the resonance.

DON'T! Octavia's voice shouted at him, pulling him back. Don't look into my memories, Draco. Not this time.

Draco's eyes opened and he felt his pulse throbbing against Octavia's mouth. "What's wrong?"

I need you conscious this time.

"Why?"

I just do. Draco sighed and fought the urge to turn his head. He felt Octavia pulling him down to the floor of the closet. He obeyed, not sure what she'd do to him if he resisted.

She remained latched onto his neck a little longer before releasing him. She rested her head on his chest.

"Will you tell me what's wrong now?" he asked, trying to sound comforting.

"I know thou art not him," she muttered. "I wondered why thou resembled him."

"Like who? Your dad?"

She shook her head. "Thou art kit and kin to Augustan."

Draco blanched. "You…"

"I saw it. All of what happened yesterday before you came back. I felt your fear," she hugged him gently. "Thou art very brave, Draco."

"I'm not brave," Draco said. "I'm not brave at all."

"Thou belittles thyself," Octavia said, sitting up. "Any other man would have trembled before him. You looked at him in the eye and dared not glance away. I thank ye, Draco. I am forever indebted to thee."

"No, you're not. I didn't even mean to release you. I was a first year then—"

Octavia silenced him with a touch on his cheek. "That does not matter. I am a Vampire, but as a Werewolf is still a Wizard, I am still a Witch. I am indebted to thee. Thou released me, saved me from the murderous intent of thy father and teacher—though their intentions be for the protection of the school—let me feed on thee when I was hungry, and now thou art protecting me from a Vampire Lord who is not only thy relative, but feared all over the world and across time. A Vampire Lord who disillusions himself into thinking that his love for me is enough to repay what he has stolen from me. I forgive thy outburst last night."

She withdrew her hand. The chilled touch still lingered on his cheek. Octavia turned away from him, pulling her knees to her chin. "He is insufferable."

Draco blinked. "Augustan?"

Octavia nodded. "Claiming that I am his wife—he has probably had many women whom he has called his wife over the years. Thou art living proof of that." She hid her face in her knees. "I am a disgrace!"

"Stop it," Draco hissed, grabbing her shoulder. Octavia looked up, slightly shocked. "You're dad was proud of you, right?"

"Until he learned I allowed Augustan to court me without his permission."

"I don't think Gryffindor wanted any of what happened to happen. If you knew that Augustan was a Vampire when you first met him, I doubt you would have gotten mixed up with him. Am I right?"

"Thou art correct."

"And you did very well in school, too—so says the legend."

"T'is true."

"What were you planning to do after you graduated?"

Octavia blinked and pursed her lips in thought. "Ah! T'is been so long, that I almost forgot! I had my heart set on taking over the school when Father and the others died. Twas expected of me." Octavia frowned again.

Draco watched her. "It's tough, I know. And the humiliation at not meeting your parents' standards are horrible. I know that. More than you might believe. We all do here in Slytherin. Our parents are very demanding. We have to marry in our class—that is, other purebloods—and we can't let those lower than us get the better of us. We all failed in academics in our parents' eyes because the most brilliant student to come to Hogwarts in a while just so happened to be a Muggle Born Witch named Hermione Granger. A Gryffindor. For us Pure Bloods, that's as humiliating as anything you could think of."

Octavia snickered. "Silly fool. Just be thyself and thy father will learn to let thee go."

Draco shrugged. "My parents may be better than some, but they're not that lenient." They sat in silence. Draco studied the Vampire before him. "I can see why he fell in love with you."

Octavia harrumphed. "He did not love me. Not truly love me. He lied to me."

"You know, I don't know if Augustan would agree. There's so little that I do know—just clips of your own memory." Draco adjusted his position. "How about you tell me what happened—from your own recollection in order."

Octavia swallowed. "Very well," she said. She adjusted her position and faced Draco from across where he sat.

"I was not thirteen years old, and had just come into my third year at Hogwarts, my Father's pride. I had gone to town on an errand for Madam Hufflepuff. She wanted me to purchase her wormwood for a potion she needed to make.

"It was snowing. And I was eager to get back to the warmth of the castle. As I was heading back, I was stopped by Augustan. I did not know who he was then. I bore him no feeling other than the general attraction one feels for one like him. And me as I am now."

She swallowed. "He invited to buy me a drink. I was young and foolish. I accepted. As we sat in the Three Broomsticks we conversed. I'm certain I was supposed to become a victim of his. But he did not touch me. I'm not sure why he did not take me to his room to feast on me, but he let me go.

"We met many times after that. What started as a casual greeting—most likely in order of him to make a quick meal out of me—turned into a friendship and not much longer, I had found myself at the mercy of his affections. As I had said, I was still very young and very foolish. I knew it was wrong, for a man who seemed to be as old as my father to love me, and I to love him, but my heart would not be swayed otherwise.

"I of course had suitors all throughout my time under my father's tutelage at this very school, but I was in love with Augustan. Despite this foolish, budding romance, he refused to kiss me until I had graduated. All that time, I thought he wanted me to be out of my father's nest before he took me to be his own.

"I waited eagerly for that day when I would finally be given my kiss. At times, studying and practicing magic was all that kept me from losing my mind and demanding my kiss sooner. I found myself at the top of the class by the time I was in my fifth year. I was proud of my work. My father praised me and doted on me more often. Augustan just kept telling me to do my best and graduate. Before long, but what I remember seeming like ages, I graduated."

Octavia closed her eyes. Her lip quivered. Her breathing went ragged. "I remember the night after I graduated, I saw Augustan walking along the edge of the Forbidden Forest from my room. I treaded on the side of caution while leaving my room. As soon as I was in the court yard, I looked for Augustan again.

"I found him by a willow tree. He was looking at it, as though examining the tree would pass time while waiting for me. I called out to him. He turned to me and smiled. He congratulated me for becoming a grown witch. I thanked him and asked him if he remembered his promise. He did. He pulled me into the willow's protective curtain of leaves.

"I remember his words exactly—not a day has gone by in that coffin that I could forget them. When I first heard them, I was happy. Happy until I learned the truth about my lover. 'I love you. I need you. Octavia, spend the rest of eternity by my side.' Before I could answer, he tugged at the collar of my dress—this dress." She touched the collar of her velvet gown, never opening her eyes, tears escaping between the long black lashes.

"I would have protested and threaten to scream had I not then noticed that his lips were cold pressed against my neck." She rubbed the spot where she was bit.

"At first it was a gentle kiss, as though he were truly kissing me. I was beginning to feel the fright I should have felt when I first met him. But as soon as he began to kiss me, the gentleness became steadily more forward. I feared he would force himself upon me, so I began to struggle. He grip became steadily stronger. I felt as though my arm would break and he wouldn't care at all. I feared he would take what he wanted and leave me broken and helpless. He almost ripped the dress, but by some restraint, didn't. Just as I was about to scream for my father, he growled like an animal and bit me."

She grabbed her throat as if she was trying to ebb the feeling of Augustan's touch on her skin. With a large sob, she continued.

"When I did open my mouth to scream, Augustan had released me of his teeth and gave me the kiss I had dreamed of, but polluted the illusion I had of it. His blood, and mine, trickled down my throat. I could feel not just his satisfaction for my blood, but his desire—his lust—for me as he pinned me against the willow tree. I do not know if I am still a virgin. I have no recollection of being molested as such. I lost consciousness after he destroyed my vision of my first kiss.

"When I woke up, I was entirely turned and would become a vampire in a mere matter of days. I was, at first, confused. Then I remembered and I wailed—oh! How I wailed! I urged myself to go back to the school and confess to my father what I had done. I was certain at that time that my father would do all he could to help me regain my honor.

"First, I met with Master Slytherin, who had heard my wailing and came to investigate. Madam Ravenclaw happened upon us and Master Slytherin left me to her while he went to alert Father. She escorted me to Madam Hufflepuff. I was looked over by her and she discovered what had happened to me. She asked me if I knew this had happened. I told her I did. I would have explained then, but I was told to hold my tongue until my father came.

"He and Slytherin came what seemed like ages later. I was frightened of what would happen to me. Madam Hufflepuff gave my father her report. My father never frightened me so much until then. I had never seen him so furious! He demanded to know who bit me. A name, a description, anything."

She covered her eyes and her lips trembled.

Draco, tentatively, pulled her into an embrace. "You don't have to go on right now if you don't want to."

"No," Octavia mumbled, "I'll continue." She gulped air and leaned against Draco's chest. "I told him everything. From the time I met him to that very moment. At first, I believe my father was simply stunned." She touched her cheek. "His temper was terrible, I knew that, and yet he had never directed it towards me. At that time, he was so furious that I could not speak for fear of what he would do if I even opened my mouth.

"He shouted how I had disgraced his name, that I had ruined him. He said that he did not raise me to be made a fool of or make a fool of him. He never hit me before then. He was so angry, and I was terribly frightened. I don't know if he would have killed me then. He was restrained by Master Slytherin and I was guarded by Madam Ravenclaw and Madam Hufflepuff.

"I was taken to my room and locked inside by Madam Ravenclaw. I was told it was only until my father was calm. I hid in a wardrobe during that time, crying and mumbling useless apologies to nothing and everything.

"I don't know how long I sat there, but sooner than I would have liked, the door to the wardrobe opened and my father stared at me with more sorrow than I have ever seen on a man's face. He reached for me. I shied away; frightened he would hurt me again. But he simply took me in his arms and sobbed. I don't know how long we were there, sobbing for want of my folly. Eventually, our tears were spent and he told me that no matter what, he would avenge me. I did not know then that at that time he had planned to have me locked away—for all I know, he might have been sobbing for having to take responsibility for my foolishness. He told me that I will always be his daughter and that no matter what foolishness I did, he would love me forever.

"He said that someday I might be released. I did not know what he meant. I was about to ask him when the door burst open and some of my own classmates burst into the room, torches in their hands and they grabbed me. I screamed for my father to stop them, fearing they were going to kill me. My father did nothing but look away as I was dragged to the grounds and led into the Forbidden Forest."

Again, Octavia stopped and wiped tears away.

"Did they hurt you?" Draco asked. "You don't have to answer that. You don't have to tell me," he added quickly.

"N-no," she said. "They were told what I was and were fearful of what I would do to them should they attempt to hurt me. Or they were fearful of my father. No. They simply dragged me to what was supposed to be my final resting place. There was no apology for what had happened to me. No mercy, no pity. Only fear and disgust were directed towards me as I was put into that accursed coffin.

"I remember last the bright sun. It scorched me and I screamed. They covered the coffin quickly. I did not have the strength I have now then, so it was impossible for me to open it. I heard them lock the coffin. I heard wailing and crying—as though I had truly died to them and was no longer Octavia.

"For only Merlin knows how long, I could hear whispers barely audible to me as I gave way to sleep. All I could do was sleep. I was hungry, but could not get out. Eventually I learned to ignore the hunger. My sleep, occasionally, was interrupted and I would wake and push the lid of my coffin. It would not budge, but I could hear something—or someone—banging it. Sometimes a voice, a familiar voice, muffled by the stone, would call my name. After an immeasurable amount of time, the banging and shouting stopped and I could, occasionally, hear sobbing as though it were someone who truly mourned me.

"Then, by relief, they stopped and vanished. I was left to sleep for the rest of those years. I would be awoken on occasion when there were storms and loud shouting. They went from hope to a bother rather quickly, and I'd just urge myself back to sleep.

"Then, by chance, I heard running one night. I opened my eyes and listened. I heard something come over my coffin and I heard the clinking of chains. I decided to try the lid one more time. Surprisingly, it lifted quite easily. Everything was bright to me and hurt my eyes, but they adjusted quickly. I smelt smells I never fathomed before. One smell was that of blood, but I could not pin it then. I saw a boy with hair like starlight clutching his ankle. The sweet smell that wakened my great hunger came from him. But I also felt fear and I schooled myself long enough to know that I best not cause anything suspicious too soon. I waited and heard barking and talking. After waiting another day, I finally ventured out and let myself feed deep in the forest.

"Some time later, I took to venturing closer to the school and examining what happened there. I was amazed at the change of speech and dress. Everything seemed brand new to me. I watched and waited. Finally, I had to enter the school. When I did, I followed a student into Slytherin House and looked around. I watched thee, that night. Thou seemed frightened to me—the same smell as that boy. I wasn't sure, but when thou fell asleep on the couch, I wanted a closer look at thee, so I did, ignoring my hunger.

"And thou know what happened after that."

Octavia had ceased crying and now nestled quite comfortably in the closet. "Does that clear things up for thee?"

Draco nodded. "You don't have to beat yourself up over this anymore, Octavia," he said, squeezing her shoulder. "I won't let them crucify you again."

The door to the closet opened, startling them both. Blaise stared at them. "Usually people go to a cabinet or something somewhere else. Not in their own dormitory."

"Don't be perverted, Blaise," Draco snapped. "That wasn't what happened."

"Well, you're on good terms again, that's all that matters. Have fun getting back pain, Drake." He closed the closet.

"Jerk."

Octavia sighed and moved away from him. "Thou meant it?" She asked him.

Draco nodded. "I'll do what I can to protect you. I'm not much, but I'll do what I can." Octavia hugged him.

"I thank ye, Draco."

Draco opened the door and they came out. He stretched, trying to get rid of the cramped feeling he had in his back.

Octavia sat on his bed and watched him. Draco smiled at her and headed to the Great Hall, his head spinning with what he heard. He was becoming a Gryffindor, vowing something he wasn't sure he could keep.

Draco did not realize that he was being watched by scathing, red eyes as he walked down the hallway alone.

okay...so...now we're getting into the heart of the story! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for reading!