Chapter 16: Without a worry, leave everything to me.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews and adds. I enjoyed last chapter…and here's this chapter. Some character development mixed with some later introductions I suppose. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
There's a time in everyone's life when things are happening so fast it's like the world is crashing down. There's a time when the events become too much. Everything seems to stop and nothing seems to matter. At that point you start to notice things you wouldn't normally notice. And Crystal right now was frozen and she couldn't stop thinking about her breathing.
Breathing in, breathing out. Breathing in, breathing out. Breathing in, breathing out.
Why was everything so pink? Just a moment ago weren't her lips locked onto the soft caring lips of Fred? Then what was she doing here? She was no longer standing, she notice her feet had carried her into this pink prison. She didn't belong here. Why wasn't she in Fred's arms? Oh he had left…that's right. But if he left and George left…where is she? And why was it so cold? No it wasn't cold, the atmosphere was just chilling her to the bone.
Crystal shook her head and noticed how fast her eyelids were blinking. One second, eyes closed. Two seconds, eyes opened. One second, eyes closed. Two seconds, eyes opened. This room…kitten plates, pink thrown everywhere, a desk with a picture of the Minister of Magic…
Professor Umbridge's office.
Crystal folded her hands in her lap. How did she get here? She just remembers watching Fred and George leave while she tried to hold tears back.
"Miss Nott you're not even listening!" Umbridge howled in frustration as she slammed her hands down on her desk.
Crystal swallowed as she tried to find her voice. But it didn't seem to becoming. This room with the friendly colors, the kittens, and the soft glow should be comforting, but to Crystal it was more freighting than Lord Voldemort. She couldn't explain it. Maybe because she knew she was in trouble for something she didn't do. Or maybe it was because she felt empty. She wanted nothing more than to be in Draco's arms at the very least. She just wanted someone. She wanted to be held and comforted. She wanted this feeling of being trapped to go away. But it wasn't. As she sat in Umbridge's office it seemed to grow even more within her heart.
"You spoiled little brat, listen to me." Umbridge walked away from her desk and was dangerously brandishing her wand about. She cleared her throat in a sickly sweet manner as she turned to Crystal. "I need you to be a good little girl and tell me if you knew of those devil twins plans." Umbridge asked in her little girl voice that only belittled Crystal even more.
"No" Crystal cried out, sounding stronger than she felt. "I didn't know what they were planning!" the truth poured out her lips, but judging by Umbridges flared nostrils Umbridge didn't believe her for a second.
"Don't be foolish. You are always with those two brats." Umbridge spat as she leaned in over Crystal and glared. "You had to have known and you deliberately did not bother to inform a teacher of their treachery."
"If I may" Crystal sat up straighter in the chair and stared right back at Umbridge. "I was not aware of what the twins were planning on doing." She pushed right back and attempted to stand her ground. She wasn't going to let this toad get to her. She was telling the truth. She knew they had been planning to drop out of school, but that's all. She never dreamed that they would use the portable swamp to help escape, nor that they would obtain their brooms. It's probably because she was avoiding them that she missed all the precious planning the twins did.
"You are just like Potter, a little lair." Umbridge produce a vial giggle and walked away. "I know just the thing that will get the message across." Umbridge proclaimed as she rummaged through her desk for the right quill.
Crystal knew what was coming. She was going to write lines. She was going to suffer the same fate as Harry. But Crystal was ready. Lines would be nothing, nothing compared to what she has suffered. Umbridge wouldn't get that satisfaction, not out of Crystal.
"I would like you to write 'I must not tell lies' until…well until the message sinks in." Umbridge's lips curled into a devilish smile as she put the quill and parchment in front of Crystal.
Crystal didn't even look at Umbridge. She silently grabbed the quill and took her punishment for a crime she didn't commit with a slight smirk. Slowly she let her hand drag across the parchment and spell out 'I must not tell lies' in her tiny cursive. She finished the whole sentence once with Umbridge watching over her with not a single sign of shock. Umbridge seemed a bit deflated at the lack of emotion from Crystal, but Crystal didn't mind. She carried on writing and writing. She didn't even flinch once the blood started pouring from her hand as it etched farther and farther into her skin. Her face stayed the same. She could stay passive as long as she wanted. And Umbridge would wait and wait for her to crack. It wasn't going to happen though. Even though Crystal's hand was beginning to sting and the blood was dripping on the parchment, she carried on as if she was writing an essay.
Although, Crystal wondered if she caved in then she would be able to leave. The time was ticking by and she still hadn't eaten. Umbridge didn't care though she was eating her sandwich loudly in front of Crystal. And Crystal just sat there writing on through it all, even if her stomach was protesting. This carried on until around 10:30 in the evening. Umbridge still wasn't satisfied, but it was getting late and well past curfew for Crystal.
"I think we will have to resume this tomorrow evening. It seems you still need more time." Umbridge said while breaking the stifling silence.
"Yes, Professor Umbridge" Crystal gave a curt bow and excused herself from the horrid office and found herself walking through the desert corridors. With each step she took she felt farther away from the events that happened today as the pain in her hand washed over her. She finally let the tears that had been forcing their way through come out. She felt alone and scared. She knew Umbridge was already writing her father, if she was lucky her brother and Draco would claim it was a misunderstanding. They were there, Theo and Draco. They were in the inquisitorial squad, so they would have seen Crystal's shock and pain. They would know she had no idea. She was just as innocent as everyone else, it's just the world is against her.
The common room, unlike the hallways wasn't deserted. Crystal noticed several seventh years, a couple six years, and a couple of younger students scattered throughout as she wiped away her tears and preceded to the girl's dorms.
"Crissy!" Crystal had just made it to the step when she recognized Hermione's voice calling out in concern.
"Oh, hullo" Crystal said in a strange distant voice as Hermione, Ron, and Harry appeared by her side.
"Your hand" Hermione gasped as Crystal moved some hair out off of her face with her bad hand.
"I had to write lines, it's nothing serious." Crystal shrugged as Hermione gentle grabbed her hand.
"You wrote lines this whole time?" Harry questioned "For what? You didn't do anything."
Crystal gave a shrug and pulled her hand away from Hermione and held it to her heart. "Umbridge reckons I aided criminals. My crime was that I didn't inform anyone." Crystal made a face. "But I didn't and she thinks I'm lying." She sighed as she wiped off the blood with her other hand, showing the deep red marks of 'I must not tell lies' in her beautiful cursive.
"That awful toad" Ron muttered. "You haven't even talked to Fred and George in weeks, how were you supposed to know what they were planning?"
"Did you mention that to her?" Harry asked.
"What's the point? She wouldn't listen." Crystal growled. "She called me a little lair, just like that Harry Potter." Crystal pursed her lips and turned to the stairs. "I'm going to bed. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"Doubt that" Ron said flatly "Your brother looked like he was going to murder someone."
"Yeah and Draco didn't look to pleasant either." Harry added. "But we'll stay close so nothing happens…that we can stop at least." Harry gave her an encouraging smile.
"Thanks" Crystal blushed and started walking up the stairs.
"Night guys, I'm going to go up with Crissy." Hermione said quickly and followed catching up to Crystal in no time. "Come on let's get this hand fixed up. But you really should go to Madam Pomfry" Hermione sighed, but walked up the stairs with her none the less.
"I'd rather not" Crystal grabbed her hand tighter. "It took a lot not to cry out, I'm not giving Umbridge any satisfaction." She smirked.
"You and Harry are so stubborn." Hermione rolled her eyes and opened the door to the dorm and pulled Crystal all the way to the bathroom. "Put your hand under some warm water, I'm going to get some bandages for it."
"Thanks Hermione" Crystal smiled, truly feeling appreciative she had such great friends.
She watched Hermione leave before she put her hand under the water. The minute her hand touch the water, she couldn't help but let out a groan of pain and pleasure. It felt good to have her hand under the running water but at the same time it was painful.
"I think we should use gauze for now." Hermione came back in within a couple of minutes. No doubt she just summoned the gauze from her trunk. Her voice was calm but she looked stressed. Crystal couldn't blame her. Hermione was worrying about Harry, her grades and now this. She had a lot on her plate.
"Sure whatever you think works." Crystal smiled warmly while grabbing a towel and wiping her hand dry. "It's still blee-" Crystal started but was cut off.
"We were wondering when you'd get back." Lavender popped in with an anxious looking Parvati.
"Don't sound so insensitive, Lav" Parvati scolded her friend but still looked anxiously between Hermione and Crystal. "You alright Crystal? Umbridge made you write lines didn't she? The old hag" She commented staring at Crystal's hand which was just about to be wrapped up by Hermione.
"I've had worse" Crystal shrugged and stared curiously at the girls. Usually Paravti and Lavender left her and Hermione alone. It's not that they didn't get along, it's just they were a bit too catty for their liking. Hermione and Crystal tended to do their homework and gossip on the rare occasion. Paravti and Lavender always had something to say, though more often or not it was Lavender that had the most to say. Paravti was a lot more sensitive than Lavender and knew how to respect people.
"Worse?" Paravti looked at Crystal in concern, but that look quickly vanished when Paravti rushed forward and grabbed Crystal's good hand.
"So spill" Lavender gushed with wide eyes.
Crystal furrowed her brow and looked at Lavender, then to Paravti, and then to Hermione searching for answers. "Spill what?" Crystal finally said dumbfounded.
"I'm a bit curious myself." Hermione admitted as she nearly finished bandaging.
"I think we all are." Paravti let a smile dance across her beautiful lips as she leaned in forward too. "What's going on between you and Fred?"
"What?" Crystal looked flabbergasted at the girls in front of her. She stared at her hand for a moment and then looked out the room. "Let's talk in the dorm and not the bathroom." Crystal said quietly. This wasn't the talk she wanted to have. They just left and even she wasn't sure what was going on.
"Good thinking Crissy!" Lavender clapped her hands before rushing for the door "I'll go get some chocolates left over from the last Hogsmeade visit. Oh this will be so much fun!"
"We can't stay up too late! We have Charms in the morning!" Hermione cried, but followed happily none the less.
Crystal stood there for a moment taking it what just happened. She'd never been one for these kinds of conversations. Nor had she really ever been in one. The girls usually paid no attention to her, so the fact that Lavender was this excited to include her, left her confused but yet strangely excited.
"Come on, it's best not to keep Lavender waiting" Paravti shook her head and help lead Crystal out of the bathroom to the beds were Hermione was sitting patently on her bed, while Lavender dug around for the chocolates from Honeydukes no doubt.
Paravti gently put Crystal next to Hermione who put a warm arm around her at once. Paravti claimed a spot on Crystal's bed and soon next to her was sitting Lavender who was passing out some chocolates. Everyone gladly took some and ate a couple bites before Lavender leaned forward "Soooo" She said as she sat on the edge of Crystal's bed. "When did all this happen? You and Fred weren't secretly dating were you?" Lavender carried on as she broke another piece of chocolate and popped it into her mouth.
"Goodness no" Crystal blushed and pulled her legs to her chest. "I wasn't even aware Fred liked me…"
Hermione smiled over at Crystal knowingly "No, of course you didn't. You had your mind on other things. Or shall I say another person." Everyone turned to Hermione now and raised an eyebrow at her words. "Oh come on, you can't tell me none of you guys noticed." Hermione rolled her eyes at her friends before her.
There was a small silence before Lavender opened her mouth. "You mean Malfoy?"
Crystal blushed at the sound of his name and instinctively grabbed the bracelet around her wrist.
Hermione gave a nod and Lavender just about exploded as she squealed out. "He may be a Slyhterin prick, but he is good looking."
"He's really not that bad…" Crystal mumbled as her cheeks got even redder.
"You would say that." Lavender laughed "But what about what happened with you and Fred today?"
"Yeah, that's not going to ruin anything between you and Malfoy?" Paravti questioned.
Crystal looked at them in shock. They were being so genuine and caring even though they barely knew Crystal. Yes, they slept in the same room and had classes together, but they barely exchanged words. Was it just that they wanted this bit of gossip or did they really care? They seemed like they really cared, but why? "It can't ruin anything between Malfoy and I." Crystal said in a cold distant voice. She glared down at the floor before popping some chocolate in her mouth, hoping to warm herself up. She felt so cold. So cold and so alone.
"Why not?" Lavender asked "I mean you didn't kiss Fred of your own free will but still. Any guy would be jealous." Lavender said while she twirled her hair around her pointer finger.
"I'm not saying Draco wouldn't be jealous" Crystal sighed and pulled her legs even closer to her chest. "But, well you guys can't tell anyone. You have to promise." Crystal looked up at Paravti and Lavender and gave a sharp look. She knew Hermione already knew and she knew Hermione would keep quiet.
"You have our word." Lavender said anxiously. She was truly curious as to what was going on. And at the same time, she felt like this was the perfect opportunity to get to know Crystal. It wasn't too often that a Gryffindor could talk to a wealthy pureblood, seeing as all of them are in Slyhterin.
Paravti felt the same way. She had wanted to get to know Crystal for a while now. She knew Crystal was smart, crafty, and had some great influence on people. Paravti just never got to see her. They were usually in class or getting ready to go to class or to go to bed. They just never seemed to cross paths at the right time. But the fact that they had been living together in the same dorm seemed to pull her closer to Crystal. She just wanted to know her since they lived together. "Your secrets safe" Paravti smiled warmly.
Crystal nodded and didn't waste any time. "I'm betrothed to Draco."
The silence that filled the air was almost sickening. Both Lavender and Paravti sat there blinking with sad eyes. It took a while for anyone to say anything and during that time there were a lot of glances exchanged.
"You are okay with this right?" Paravti spoke first. Her voice seemed distant and not like her usual voice. Crystal really didn't know how to take it. "I mean you do like Malfoy right?" She asked.
"Yes, we were childhood friends…but I'd like to decide who I am with forever" Crystal sighed "You know?" She added before throwing herself onto the bed.
"You like Fred too though. I can tell." Lavender got up and lay down next to Crystal. "I could tell. It was in your eyes as he kissed you."
"Not much I can do though." Crystal admitted while she turned to Lavender. "My love for Draco over powers my love for Fred."
"You don't know that, you are being forced into this." Paravti said in a sad voice as she too got up and lay down next to Lavender.
"I've known Draco my whole life. He's always been there for me." Crystal smiled happily.
"What about when you were in America?" Lavender asked immediately hitting a nerve with in Crystal.
"Of course he couldn't have been there for me. It wasn't his fault I was sent away." Crystal snapped defensively.
"Never mind that, let's get to bed it's getting late." Hermione finally piped up.
"You're right Hermione" Paravti said quickly. She didn't want a fight to start, though she really was enjoying this time together.
"Fun sucker" Lavender muttered but got up none the less.
"Night" muttered Crystal as she happily got up to go to bed.
It had been an odd day indeed. When she got up this morning she never expect to have gained two more friends. She also never had expected to get kissed by Fred. Everything seemed to happen so quickly. But she didn't mind though. She felt so content. Even if a lot happened she felt happy. She had friends to talk to even if Fred and George were gone. It made things simple and it helped ease her into sleep quickly. Though once she woke up, she was ready to go back to bed and forget the day that lay ahead.
She had already gotten up, changed, and fixed her bandages and was on her way down to the common room when Hermione finally caught up with her.
"How's your hand?" Hermione asked but didn't give Crystal a chance to answer seeing as she was already grabbing her hand and going over the bandage. "Keeps bleeding doesn't it?" She sighed.
"Only when I moved my hand a certain way, it just splits open." Crystal responded as they carried down the stairs, but Hermione had stopped and was staring at Crystal.
"What are you going to do about today?" She peered right into her eyes and asked with such concern.
"About that" Crystal stared right back. She knew Hermione had been watching her get ready this morning. She was really concerned, but there was really no need. Crystal had this all figured out. Everything was going to be okay. She'd carry on with the plan. She'd save Draco if it was the last thing she did. "Could you tell Neville that I won't be eating with him and also I don't know when we can do homework this week?"
"Sure thing" Hermione smiled warmly as she pulled Crystal in a hug "You can do this."
"I know" Crystal swallowed and gave a nod "I'm going to head down without you guys, I've got to go alone." Quickly Crystal waved, gave Hermione one last pained look and headed down to the Great hall in her own thoughts.
She had taken her time heading down because she was feeling a bit more tired than usual. She had spent a great deal of the evening planning each and every word she would say given what goes on. It all mattered on who approached her first. If it was her brother she would have to be extremely sorry and pull on his heart strings. If it was Draco she would still have to pull on his heart strings, just in a different manner. All she had to do for Draco was tell him how much she loves him. It was as simple as that.
But the trick was for her planning to go through. It never went the way she wanted. She figured that she would be able to go down to the great hall and simply sit at the Slyhterin table, but when she got to the great hall, Theo was already waiting there with a scowl on his face.
Crystal thinking fast ran to him and pulled him into a hug while burying her face in his chest. "Theo" she sobbed pulling on his shirt. "I didn't want that. Fr-he just kissed me! And now I bet Draco's upset with me. Please tell me he's not upset?" Crystal cried fake tears as she held her brother tighter and hiding her face deeper in his chest.
"Crissy" Theo let out a sigh of relief while grabbing her hair and lightly stroking her head. "No, he's not mad. It's just a misunderstanding." He was glad. It had been a rough night. Draco kept pacing back in forth leaving Theo, Crabbe, and Goyle thinking about what happened as well. They spent most of the night bouncing ideas back and forth. They all seemed to decide Crystal had nothing to do with this nor did she even want that kiss. Crystal after all is a respectable pureblood and would never want to kiss a blood traitor.
"You sure?" Crystal looked up timidly "I mean…I didn't enjoy it at all! It was…I didn't…" She tried searching for words but her hand throbbed painfully bringing real tears forward. "I don't even like Fred." She spilled out as her hand felt like it was ripping in pain. She gave another real sob as she grabbed her hand and watched the blood soak through the gauze she had carefully wrapped around it.
"I believe you" Theo said with a frown. "But what in the name of merlin did you do to your hand?" He questioned as he stared at her clutched hand.
"I fell last night" Crystal quickly lied again. "I was trying to sneak out of the dorm to see Draco…" Another sharp stab of pain as each word fell out from her mouth.
"You should go to Madam Pomfrey" Theo reached out and grabbed her hand. "Please" he begged as he looked at the odd way it bleed.
"No" Crystal growled and ripped her hand away. "I want to see Draco." She said firmly as she moved away from her brother.
"He's already eating breakfast. I warn you though, he's in a foul mood." Theo placed a gentle hand on his sister's back as he guided her to the Slyhterin table.
Crystal didn't protest at all or bother to look over at the Gryffindor table. She didn't think she could keep this up if she spotted any of her friends. She had lied enough today and couldn't help but smirk. The message Umbridge wanted her to learn wasn't sinking in at all. Oh if the old hag only knew.
"Look whose here to see you" Theo said with a big grin as he sat across from Draco, leaving Crystal to sit next to him.
"Morning" Crystal said timidly as she wiped her eyes with her good hand.
Draco didn't say anything. He moodily played with his food and looked at Theo with death glares.
"Draco…" Crystal said quietly as she reached out for his hand. He quickly shooed it away with a slap of the hand and a harsh glare.
The glares carried on for the rest of the meal. Theodore figured Draco would crack eventually but he didn't breakfast was coming into a close and Draco hadn't open his mouth once. Both Crystal and Theo had exchanged words, but nothing life changing. It was beginning to get Crystal hopes up until right when they were about to leave and her savior came.
"Crystal darling" Someone whined in Crystal's ear as they threw their arms around her back. Both Theo and Draco had a disgusted look upon their face as they stared at the figure whose arms were around Crystal that it almost made her afraid of who was there. But Crystal knew she had to look soon before Theo or Draco threw a hex. "I really need to talk to you." The voice said once more as Crystal turned around to see Lavender looking absolutely radiant about something.
"Lavender" Crystal blinked in shock. What was Lavender planning?
"Oh" Lavender quickly faked embrassment as she covered her lips with her hands and threw out a girly giggle. "I didn't know you were with him" Lavender looked over at Draco than back at Crystal. She then leaned in closer to Crystal and whispered loud enough for Draco to hear "I'll let you get back to your love, but I really need your help with my Potion's essay."
Crystal and Lavender watched as Draco raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Crystal let a smile play on her lips. Lavender and Paravti must have noticed that Draco wasn't talking. They must have been watching the whole time and was trying to get him to open up and forgive her. Theo may have thought Draco wasn't mad, but he obviously was.
"Lav it's okay really. I can help you right now." Crystal smiled warmly and turned her back to Draco and Theo so she could throw Lavender a wink.
Lavender let out a gasp. "No you are with…" she looked over at Draco and let out another giggle.
"It's just Dra-" Crystal started but Lavender cut her off by putting her fingers over Crystal's lips.
"Oh please, you'll help me later." Lavender smiled. She then turned around and started walking away. She was almost gone when she called out loudly "And I want details" She winked at Crystal then headed out of the hall, leaving everyone with curious looks.
"Details on what?" Draco asked breaking his silence and looking over at Crystal with his teasing eyes only on her.
Crystal smirked before leaning in and planting her lips on Draco's soft ones. He didn't protest but rather kissed her right back, ignoring the protest from Theo across from them. Finally Crystal broke away, still smirking. "Yeah Fred's a better kisser." Crystal shrugged in a playful manner.
"Excuse me" Draco called out faking anger.
"You're excused, but I was planning on leaving first." Crystal stood up and smiled "I'll see you during lunch!" Crystal gave Draco one last playful look before running away, leaving Draco stunned and left in his own thoughts.