Chapter 21- Past, Present, Future
Hermione, Harry and Ron were gone. The Patil sisters were gone. About a third of the first and second years were gone. It seemed that in the past month the school had noticeably shrunk with each passing day. It seemed to be shrinking in comparison to her confidence. She kept feeling worse and worse about what was going on. The only thing holding her back from screaming her sins at the top of the Astronomy Tower were Draco's comforting words. He continued to promise her that it was for the better.
What she doesn't understand, though, is how this will affect her for the better. Her life used to be as close to perfect as she could have hoped. Before Saber and, well, probably with Saber her life had been a dream. She had a loving family, a beautiful home, wonderful friends, a loving boyfriend and a promising future. She had everything back then.
She imaged her face was literally glowing with delight. The shock that had hit her upon entering her manor that evening was beyond comparable to anything in her life thus far. She had placed insistence upon insistence that she did not want a party for her birthday this year. All she really wanted was a quiet dinner with her family and, of course, Saber. But this, this party, was brilliant. As much as she had insisted against this she loved it even more.
"Oh, mom!" she managed to exclaim. "You guys did this, for me?"
"Well, of course darling. We couldn't have you turn sixteen without a party now could we?"
"Yeah, Alli," Saber said as he snaked his arm around her waist. "You're much too important for that."
"Plus," he added in with a wink. "If we didn't, who could I show you off to?"
Her smile had exclaimed the love that had filled her heart that night. The one thing that had been better than her party were the people she was with. Her beautiful friends, family and boyfriend were here to celebrate with her. What more could a girl ask for?
Aliana couldn't help but to get lost in the thoughts of her past. Some of her greatest memories were the ones from that time. But she couldn't help but remember the other great memories she had savored from this year. With all of the turmoil that her life had turned into came unfathomable rewards. She got Draco after all.
"We're going to get caught!"
"No we're not. Don't worry about it," he whispered. "Try and have a little fun, for once."
She stuck her tongue out at him but couldn't help to giggle a little. She wouldn't have imagined in a million years that she would be sneaking off of school grounds just for the fun of it. But when she was with Draco she seemed to let loose. She could be whatever she felt like at the time. She felt free for the first time in her life.
As they rounded the corner hand in hand she spotted Professor McGonagall roaming the corridor ahead. Draco quickly pulled her behind a statue of a witch and they both held their breath as she passed. With a glance back and the shake of her head she continued on her way. A few minutes passed until Aliana's face broke out into a grin and she began laughing uncontrollably. After failing miserably at calming her down Draco joined in on her laughter and they filled the halls with their joyous duet.
The times she has had recently have been trying but rewarding. She would miss them, that is for sure. She wonders what will lie ahead of her. Will all of this be put behind her? Will she maybe begin to forget? Or will her life take the opposite route; will she have to relive what she did everyday? Will she be forced to repeat her mistake just for her to survive?
What if Potter dies by getting blown up in a freak accident, what happens to us then? What if tomorrow Death Eaters take over the castle? What if Voldemort finds out it was her? What if Draco really is on their side? What if she has to make a choice? What if she decides wrong?
What she has found out is that she has to find Draco because she knows that if all else fails he will help her out of this. He will give her a solution.
As she flies out of the common room door she finds him, oddly enough, pacing outside. His long arms were stuffed deep into his pockets and his head hung low aimed at the ground. With the noise of her approach his head snapped up and a frown formed on his face.
"I've been waiting for you. Didn't that little Ravenclaw girl tell you?"
"No, I was just looking for you too."
"Oh."
The two both stood opposite each other for a while. There was an understanding silence between them. Neither really wanted to talk first because neither was sure what to say. So without words Draco enfolded her into his arms and lets her know, just like that, he will never let her go.
"He knows," he whispers into her hair, her greatest nightmare coming true. "And I'm part of his plan to get you to him."
With a deep breath Aliana sighs and asks, "How?"
"Sunday, with Snape's help, as a distraction I am to sneak you out to Hogsmead for a "date". There we will meet with Alecto who will take us to the Dark Lord. I don't know of his plan from there on, but I can only imagine what he wants with you."
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Seated, once again, at the head of the kitchen table in Number 12 Grimmauld Place Severus Snape surveyed the room. He privately thanked God that she wasn't seated next to him. He was never good with sentiments and knowing he would have to address her eventually, he really would rather do it from afar.
"I would rather not stay long," he started as an introduction and refusal to Molly's beverage offer. "So I'd like to get this over with as quickly as I could."
Severus knew that most of the men and women in the room didn't care for him much but respected Dumbledore's trust. He could feel their distasteful eyes among those who truly had started to trust him, Molly Weasley being one of them.
"Go on, Severus," Molly spoke up. "Tell us what the trouble is."
"Yes," he conceded. "At Draco Malfoy's Death Eater ceremony the past Thursday evening things went… awry. The Dark Lord using his highly honed skills delved into Mr. Malfoy's mind and found the truth out about Aliana Moxley."
Déjà vu of the other night hit as all heads turned to the far end of the table. A woman in dark midnight blue robes was being comforted by an equally upset Molly Weasley. She lifted her gaze and stared point blank at Snape's face.
"Wait," George Weasley called bursting into the room. "How the hell did Malfoy get out of the castle for this Death Eater ceremony? You helped him didn't you?"
"Well, yes," Snape's eyes narrowed on George. "It's all part of playing as though I'm on his side now isn't it?"
"Oh, playing both sides," Fred joined in. "That's always your excuse Snape. When are you going to bad man enough to choose one?"
"You know Fred, I think I've got the answer to that one… never. Because deep down we all know,"
"Snape is a fraud and is not worthy to be trusted," Fred finished.
"ENOUGH!" Mrs. Weasley's voice cut the two off from continuing. "Quit with this nonsense. Dumbledore allowed Draco to leave with Snape. We," she gestured to the Order. "All knew about that plan. Now you two can get out of here and give me those ear things you were using… I'm not as gullible as I look… and get your butts upstairs so we can deal with this important issue. I'm so sorry Snape, please continue."
With the slam of the kitchen door and a return of peace Snape let his eyes wander to the still shocked Leona Moxley, Aliana's mother.
"I know you're scared Leona but I believe with the help of the Order we can provide safety for your daughter. What you must do, however, to ensure this is to not alarm anyone of the danger. We do not want the Dark Lord to find out or her safety may be jeopardized. This includes your husband. He has ties with many Death Eaters and it could be easy for someone to infiltrate him. I guarantee you we will do our best to help you and your family out."
"Yes, Leona anything you need and we can get it for you," Lupin continued where Snape left off. "Our plan is to take her out of school on Sunday and transfer her here. It's the safest place for her to be considering she will be with at least two Aurors everyday."
"Okay, whatever you can do to make her safe," Leona agreed in a small voice. "And my other daughter, Sadah, can we get her here too?"
"Absolutely, Leona, we'll get you all together."
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As she looked up at him from their embrace Draco saw a glint of a plan forming in her eyes. It looked like a plan that would involve some convincing on his part. It looked like a plan he wouldn't like.
"You are not going," Draco commanded. "For all I know, Alli, he's going to kill you."
Unfortunately his commanding never did work with her. Her reasoning always managed to make more sense. He couldn't help but wonder why he had to fall for a Ravenclaw.
"Draco, listen."
His eyes that had cleverly been avoiding hers finally rested on her face.
"I've got to choose a side eventually, haven't I?" she spoke slowly, carefully. "It may as well be the side your on."
A/N: Another chapter at its end and I must say I am impressed with myself. I got it out within a few weeks of the last one!!! I've got the rest of the story finished as well… It's turned out to be 23 chapters so the last two will be out as quickly as I can get them. I can't wait to hear what you think is going to happen or just general comments so far! Keep reading and reviewing…