Chapter 5: The Reverse Side of Beauty
A/N: This chapter will be getting into a bit of the rated 'M' part (just a bit!). So I hope you enjoy…btw, this story will be a bit shorter because the squeal is where most of the action happens, this is just a set up for the squeal :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Crystal found that she had a great time with Draco that weekend. But she couldn't help notice how much him and his friends talked about 'the Dark Lord'. It was a side of him she knew was there, but she was starting to experience it more and more. The worst was throughout the coming week. With the Gryffindor vs Slytherin match coming up, tensions were at the highest. And it was becoming to the point that Crystal didn't even want to hang out with Draco on Friday, despite how much fun she had last weekend. She knew she couldn't blow him off. Depending upon who wins this Saturday, it could rip their friendship apart like a diffindo spell.
"I wish I could help you out tonight Fred and George, but it's Friday." Crystal sighed defeat looking sad at the two chipper twins.
"Oh come on Crissy, you can talk your way out of this one." Fred grinned. He was the one who had cornered her after Charms class and he was being more persistent than his twin. They had been working hard on some more joke shop items all week, when the boys weren't at practice. Crystal felt like she barely had time for Neville or any of her other friends, but she didn't mind. There was an odd sense of home when she was with the twins and there was never a dull moment.
"I'm sure I could, but…" She responded while looking at her feet.
"But what? One night of work before the big game, right?" George piped up in his attempt to back his twin up.
"I know" Crystal said while biting her lip "But Draco is…I don't want him to get mad. It's before the game and he's been right down nasty." She said truthfully.
"Really?" George grinned.
"We hadn't noticed" Fred finished for his twin.
"Shush you two" Crystal smiled widely. "Maybe if you two are good I'll suddenly feel tired tonight and leave early."
"You're a doll" Fred scrunched up his nose and pinched Crystal's cheek. "I will see you later, love." He winked and walked away.
"Now look what you did, you better show." George laughed as he followed his twin.
Crystal just shrugged and hoped the day went by smoothly. And it did, the only painful part was waiting for to hang out with Draco. She was growing impatient for the day to finish up, but finally it did and she was already not enjoying being with him and his crew for dinner.
"I'm telling you this game is in the bag." Draco boasted for about the 100th time in the span of five minutes. "Potty couldn't catch a snitch even if it landed on his broomstick."
Crystal's temper was already rising, but she didn't lose her cool. She stayed calm. "And you couldn't catch one even if it landed in the palm of your hand." Crystal said while reverting back to her cold, cool, collect self.
Draco noticed it right away. He ignored all the small snickers around him and stared at her in disbelief. She didn't say it with a sneer or a playful tone, rather it was a dead and bored voice she had gotten when she first came to Hogwarts. "Crissy" He said softly so only she could hear "What's wrong?" he asked still ignoring the attention that was aimed at them, especially the contempt that was leaking out of Pansy's eyes.
"There is nothing wrong with me, rather it's what's wrong with you" Crystal said with narrowed eyes, but yet she wouldn't look at Draco. She was upset, annoyed, and exhausted of this banter. So instead of looking at the source of all these feelings she moodily stabbed her potatoes repeatedly.
Draco let out a polite laugh. He didn't want to make a public scene, not tonight. It was time to take the pureblooded route out of this. "Excuse us" Draco smiled to his friends and grabbed Crystal on the arm, he waited for her to get up but she never did. "Come on Crystal let's go somewhere and talk." He was being as gentle as he could, but she wasn't budging. He gave up after a couple moments and grabbed her tighter, knowing regretfully, that this might hurt her. But it got the results he wanted, she at least showed some sign of movement. But before Draco realized what was going on she had gotten up, thrown his arm off, and shoved her wand at his throat.
"Crystal" Draco pleaded, but he knew she wouldn't have any of that. He caught his mistake a little too late. Her eyes gave her away and let him know that he said too much. He really shouldn't be so cold to his friends, but he can't help it. It was engraved in his brain to be that way. How could he change so easily?
She didn't say anything, nor would she. She was going to guilt him into an apology as they stared each other in the eyes. She couldn't help but notice the traces of worry and sadness within his grey irises. She tried to shake it off. She didn't want to cave in. She didn't want to let her emotions get the best of her, but she couldn't help it. His eyes were reaching out to her, what else was she supposed to do? "Your right, let's take this outside." Crystal narrowed her eyes and let the Slyhterin's know she didn't cave in, even though deep in her heart she knew she did.
Draco didn't know what to think as he led her out of the great hall. He thought he saw compassion in her eyes, but given her anger that didn't seem right. He did know one thing though, that this evening was not going well for him. He had been hoping she was in a good mood. He had been hoping that given how much fun they had last weekend, she would agree to hanging out with him more. But he now felt that was out the window given her anger. How could he forget to tone it down on the jokes about her…filth for friends? It wasn't the first thing on his mind, but she was. He wanted to make her happy, but he was finding that hard to do. It was like even though they grew up in the same world, she was from a completely different one. He doubted that America changed her this much, could it have been her childhood that changed her? Could that really have been it? Despite all her dad's efforts to make her the perfect pureblood she instead turned out…a blood traitor?
Draco shook his head, she was a lot of things, but blood traitor wasn't one of them. Trying not to frown he entered the classroom she head led him too. He couldn't help but muse to himself that she had led him to his favorite classroom to think.
The classroom was a tiny abandoned one. In his five years of Hogwarts he had never seen this one in use. But despite the lack of use, it was the most beautiful one. The way the sun came in and shown on the empty desk gave it this strong sense of splendor and peace, that Draco had come to yearn for over the past couple of years.
"Draco, why do you want to be my friend?" Crystal demanded as she busied herself with cleaning off a desk to sit on. She wouldn't look at him, she was frustrated. He could tell, but he also knew that if she looked at him all that would be out the window. She has such a hard time staying angry at him with his cute smirk, which is why she knew it was easier to busy herself then to look at him. She had a point to make and she couldn't make that point if she wasn't mad at him anymore. "Really, we don't have anything in common, so why?" She persisted.
Draco stayed calm, though deep inside his mind was racing and whizzing through a hundred different possibilities to what draws him to her. "We may not have anything in common, but" he paused and took the time to walk over to her. Smiling he grabbed his hand "You mean a lot to me. You are my friend and friends stick together no matter what." He finished feeling that was the cheesiest thing he could have said.
Crystal let her usual sad smile trace across her lips "Then please for my sake, do not make fun of my closest friends in front of me. I beg of you." She reached out and grabbed his other hand and pulled him into a hug. "I don't think I can take it anymore." She said truthfully, hoping he could feel her heartstrings reaching out to him.
"I promise, I'll be a good boy." He smiled as he ruffled her hair. She let out a soft true smile in return to his playfulness.
"You, be a good boy?" Crystal smirked as if she was about to laugh, making Draco's heart lurch for longing to hear her laugh, but she didn't. She remained passive in her smirk. "I think that's when the world will end. You couldn't be a good boy, ever."
Draco half snorted in disbelief "I am the definition of good boy." He said before shaking his head "Actually scratch that, I am the definition of bad boy." He said in his cockiest voice.
Crystal couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, darling." She teased.
Draco sat there letting her words soak in. Things have been different since the Dark Lord came back. For starters, Crystal was brought home. But to top it off, his dad was talking about having Draco join his ranks and he wasn't sure if he really wanted that. It would be an honor for the family, but…he was having doubts himself. Could these doubts be caused by Crystal and her way of thinking? No, that couldn't be right.
"Draco?" Crystal questioned with concerned as she noticed Draco was spacing out.
He smiled warmly noticing her concern right away "Sorry, just…" He paused not wanting to open any wounds, he wanted to ease her the best he could. "Do you think you will end up joining the Dark Lord?"
Crystal blinked at Draco, this was not what she was expecting. "Doubtful, I don't…" She didn't want to let Draco know she didn't believe in his views, not when she met all these great Gryffindors. She felt she had to make something up. "Please, the only girl is Bellatrix, right? And I'd imagine she's bat shit crazy."
It was the first time Draco had heard her swear. To be honest he was a bit shocked by her answer. "Yeah…" Was all he could manage to get out. He thought for sure she would say no flat out. Was she worrying about him and his response? "I probably will." He admitted, for some odd reason.
Crystal wasn't shocked by this "I know" she said calmly.
"You know?" Draco questioned.
She smiled "We are opposites. We always have been. Of course you'd choose that side."
"It's not that I'm picking…" he said feeling like he had to justify his actions. Unlike Crystal, he had a hard time letting his family down. He cared too much about them.
"It's not so bad, you know" She smiled deviously "breaking the rules."
Draco admired her at this moment. She was so brave, no wonder she was in Gryffindor. She didn't care what her father said. She believed what she wanted too and she fought for that. He could see that now. "Crystal you're asking for death" He said while poking her forehead lightly.
"I can handle that, death of the soul, I cannot." She said calmly as she grabbed his finger off of her forehead and held his hand.
"Death of the soul?" He raised an eyebrow confused by her choice of words.
"Yes" She nodded wisely as she let go of his hand. She couldn't look at him when she said it. She turned around and walked towards the window. Lightly she put her hand on the dusted frame while a sad smile trace upon her lips. Draco couldn't help but stare as the sun gracefully fell upon her figure and lit her like an angel. "Selling my soul to the Dark Lord" She took a deep breath as she closed her eyes. Draco watched closely as she clung tighter to the frame of the window. "It would kill me, I need to be free." Crystal said as she slowly turned to Draco. He couldn't help but gaze in awe at how beautiful she looked with the sun shinnying gracefully on her long black hair. "Or at least that's what I like to believe." She smiled while shyly looking at her feet then back up at Draco.
"As long as you are happy, I'll try to be there for you the best I can." Draco couldn't help it. The words were out before he could stop them. He wasn't sure if he even supports what he himself said. He is Draco Malfoy, and if Crystal was going to be a blood traitor would he honestly go against what he believes in and support her? Wouldn't that betray his family and everything he ever wanted? He wanted to show his dad he can be as good as anyone else. He wanted to prove he was someone. No he was someone, he just wanted his dad to see that.
"Draco, I'm sure you don't mean that." Crystal closed her eyes and turned back to the window. She felt heavy just believing Draco would go against his life. But she knew that wouldn't happen, he wasn't courageous enough, no she knew he was a coward. He only knew what he was taught. He didn't know how to go against that.
"No, I do" Draco took a couple steps forward. He wanted to reach out to her, to let her know he meant it, but he couldn't. Instead he let a silence wash over them as he came to the realization that this year would make or break him. Whatever happened to them, it surely would set their destiny.
Crystal sighed, if he only knew she had already told Harry she wanted to escape this world her parents dragged her into. "If you say so Mr. Bad boy" Crystal smirked in her attempt to lighten the mood.
"I do Miss rebel." He smiled right back as he took the chance to lean up against the nearest desk. She turned away from the window and nearly laughed at him. That was so Draco to be so smooth and seducing.
"Are you always like this?" She questioned while hiding her smile behind her hand.
"What? An irresistible bad boy?" he asked gesturing to himself "Of course, you just never see it. Your too busy sulking that you aren't with your lover boy." He smirked his finest.
"My lover boy?" Crystal asked as she pulled away from the window and sat next to Draco on the desk.
"You know who I'm talking about." Draco answered playfully. But Crystal didn't know. She didn't love anyone. What was he talking about?
"Are you talking about yourself?" She questioned letting the puzzlement play across her face.
Draco couldn't help but roll his eyes. He wishes… "No you dork, not me." Draco glared at her. "Why would you like me? I'm too bad for you. You only like those goody goodies like Potter."
"Ohhh" Crystal said as his joke dawned on her. "No I don't like Harry like that…besides he'd never notice me like that." She said truthfully, knowing how much he fancied Cho right now.
"That's a lie, who wouldn't notice you like that?" Draco said in disbelief.
Crystal shook her head in attempt to hide the blush that was forming in her cheeks. "A lot of people really." She said in a shifty voice. She was feeling uncomfortable, since when was Draco this sweet?
"Keep thinking like that, love."
The night before the Qudditch match was one of the last nights Draco and Crystal had a civil conversation for at least a long time. Hatred was not a strong enough word for Crystal to describe how she felt after that match. She couldn't believe Draco and most of all she couldn't believe that vial loathsome evil woman. Banning not only Harry, but Fred and George as well! Over what? Draco deserved it for his cold words to people he didn't even know. She was right, he couldn't go against his blood and his family. That moment right there proved it to her.
After that point it was as if a fire was lit inside of her heart, she was ready and determined to associate with anyone she could to piss Draco off. Of course she wouldn't stop there, she ended up blowing him off every Friday and felt no guilt or shame in doing so.
Draco was furious. He didn't feel this was fair, but in a sense he believed he was getting punished for his behavior. It was a joke. He was furious that Potter once again did this too him. And he believed they deserved what they got, but losing Crystal over it…was it really worth it? Oh and how evil she was being about it! Not a day went by that she wasn't hanging on Fred or George's arm, which twin it was he didn't care…or worse, not a day went by that she wasn't hanging on that mudblood's arm! She was determined to make him sick and upset. He didn't want to assume this, but he couldn't help. The Slytherin's were talking about her. They all saw it. They all wanted to do something, but Theodore wouldn't let them. He just shunned his eye every time he witnessed it. He had to do something, this was his fault. But what could he do? She pretended he didn't exist. He couldn't very well waltz up to the Gryffindor table as she clung to that one twins arm could he?
Crystal knew he was glare. She knew they were staring, all those haughty Slyhterins. But she didn't care and the twins were all for making Draco and the Slyhterins pay. They played along with her all too easily.
"I was thinking maybe we-" Fred started but his twin cut him off.
"Won't work" George stated quickly already knowing what his twin was going to say.
"You didn't let him finish. I can't read his mind you know." Crystal said defensively as she grabbed her pumpkin juice and took a quick sip. "I wish I could" She said with a playful wink, as she watched Draco shift with anger.
"Sorry Crissy" George said with a smile. They all knew the smile had nothing to do with what he was saying, but Draco didn't. For all Draco would know, they were telling Crystal how beautiful she was.
"In any case" Fred carried on "We are going to need to sneak to hogsmeade and get more fireworks." He said in a hushed tone.
"I can do that tonight." Crystal said confidently. "Hermione has been very suspicious of you two."
"Can't let you" George scolded "You aren't old enough to get your hands on any." He said in genuine concern of her getting caught. He knew it didn't matter that she was underage. She had charm like no one he had met before. Her pureblood ways came in handy. She was sly and cunning when they needed her. Just, he was beginning to feel like she was his sister and didn't want her to get caught or get a detention. He knew how cruel her father could be.
"Oh please" She rolled her eyes knowing that was a lame excuse.
"I'll get them, we still have a bit of pollyjuice potion left. I can be Crystal for a bit, just enough to get into Hogsmeade." Fred smirked, knowing it would work full well. "Hermione wouldn't know the difference."
"No, you are not being me!" Crystal said in a loud upset tone. She was a bit disturbed by the idea of Fred being her, in her body, with her body parts.
"Hermione's too suspicious, it's the only way we can get out to modify more!" George growled feeling upset at how stubborn she was.
"Then why do we have to go back to the common room tonight? We can camp out in an empty classroom and then leave." Crystal stated. Sometimes she said the simplest of things, but that's what they needed. Fred and George didn't always think of the simple things which is why they loved having her around.
"Good thinking" Fred smiled "then it's settle, George and I will camp out while you go back to the common room Crystal and help Lee after his detention." He smiled as Crystal scrunched her nose up in annoyance. She knew she couldn't argue.
"I won't wait for Lee and I'm not helping out tonight." She protested as she folded her arms over her chest. Fred couldn't help but smile, her anger was so cute. "I'll hang out with Neville."
"Fine" both the twins said, happy that they made it so she would stay safe in the common room. She wouldn't go back on her word, so there was no chance of her getting a detention.
She knew what they were playing at. And she also knew better than to attempt to go against them. She was upset at them, but she knew it was better for her to smile and hang out with her other friends then push her luck. So as happily as she could, she spent the evening with Neville making small conversations.
"So what are you doing for break?" Crystal smiled as they sat at their usual table with books pored over. It seemed to them that all the professors have the same idea, cram as many test as possible right before break. "Are you staying here at all?" She asked as she set her quill down.
"Oh no, I go home to Gran." Neville smiled following the suit and pushed his essay for Umbridge away. "What about you? Are you staying here?"
"No, I can't" Crystal made a face "Sadly I have to go home for the Christmas Eve ball. Happens every year" Crystal said with distaste. Even if she hadn't been to one since before she left for America, that doesn't make it any less pleasant for her. She knew this year would be the worst one yet. The Dark Lord would be there and it would be unpleasant for sure.
"Is it at your house?" He questioned looking at her with concern. He knew she hated anything to do with her family. If at all cost he avoided talking about them.
"My manor? Lord no, not this year. It's at the Malfoy's this year" She smiled a grateful smile "I hate it when it's at our house." She admitted.
"Is it that bad?" Neville asked gingerly.
Crystal nodded "Well, I suppose it's not. If you can stand acting and dancing with pureblooded males you could care less for. Meanwhile your parents are drinking mead and conversing with other parents deciding who the best suitor for you is." She sighed and picked up her essay again. This topic wasn't something she wanted to think about. The thought of her parents picking someone for her sent a shiver up her spine. They would either want a true well known pureblood for their scum daughter, or not care at all and put her with someone who she'd be miserable with the rest of her life. Either way she didn't dare think who that would be.
"You mean…who you'd marry?" Neville asked with a horrified look upon his face.
"Yeah, has to be pureblood you know. But it can't be someone like you" Crystal pointed to him "Your family is too against the Dark Lord." She smiled admiring the thought.
"Then I suppose I can't ask you to come over during break?" Neville asked as he slumped down in his chair. He was hoping he could see her during break. But now he realizes that wouldn't happen. Her family is too dark, if only he was born into a different family.
"No" She answered quickly "Well unless you felt like acting like you wanted to join, but I don't recommend that." Crystal nearly laughed. The thought of Neville being evil was well, cute. He was too sweet and loveable to even think about doing anything for the wrong side. That's why she liked being friends with him. There was no reason for him to drag her into the life she is so scared of. He's too nice and he would never force her to do anything she wouldn't want too.
"I'm not as good as an actor as you are." Neville commented while grabbing his essay now.
"It's not acting, it's being a pureblood." Crystal answered simply. "And this essay is bull. We all know how to hold a wand." She added as she began to write the more on 'Chapter 12: the Proper Way to Hold a Wand'.
"I thought it was a little bit useful." Neville said timidly.
"It was a nice refresher, if it was the start of the year, yes." Crystal sighed and joined Neville in slumping in the chair.