Chapter 17: That blue blue sky.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews and everything! Here's chapter 17...a short chapter 17. But I felt that's all that was needed. Next chapter will probably be longer :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
"I thought I'd find you here." Draco's smooth voice carried through the room that he had shared so many memories with Crystal. He smiled over in the corner where Crystal was curled up in the moonlight. She looked so beautiful and so peaceful as she lifted her head and looked over at Draco. Her eyes shone brightly up at him before she looked back down to a spot on the floor and let out a stifled sob from her delicate lips. Draco stopped walking, she was crying. What was wrong? Was it because of that blood traitor Weasley? Was she heartbroken? Or was it his fault? "Crissy? You okay?"
"Fine" She said in a stiff but distant voice. She had clearly been crying for a while. Draco's heart seemed to drop. Something was wrong. But she wasn't opening up. She was closing herself tighter and tighter as she pulled her legs closer to her chest.
"Crystal" he said in a sweet voice as he approached her slowly. "What's bothering you?" He asked in a softer voice, if that was possible. He was being as strong as he could, but seeing her curled up like this frightened him. She was also so strong…always so defined. What could break her so deeply?
Crystal quickly grabbed her right hand which had been throbbing horribly and held it to her chest. She had just gotten done with another round of detention with Umbridge and she felt at her breaking point. Not only did Umbridge pound her with questions upon questions about the twins, she made her write lines for three hours, and write a letter of apology to Umbridge and all the teachers who had to clean up the mess the twins left due to their excessive magic. It felt draining on her and for some reason all she wanted was the twins. But the twins were not here and that left her feeling alone.
"I'm just tired." Crystal groaned and pulled her hand closer. She couldn't take this much longer. Umbridge arranged another detention for tomorrow night. Maybe she could cave in…then her hand could heal and she'd be done with torture.
"You sure that's all?" Draco questioned as he sat down next to her. He took the chance to study her. She did indeed look tired. Her eyes were a little puffy, and her skin was paler than normal. Her body seemed to cave in and her eyes looked distant. She was upset more than she was letting on. This break down right here wasn't even half of what was raging in her mind and that was breaking Draco. He couldn't take it anymore. He gently put his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap.
"I feel-so" Crystal broke down into sobs and began shaking in Draco's arms "Al-alone." She cried out as Draco began rocking her.
"You aren't though, I'm right here." Draco reassured her as he pulled her tighter. "I'll always be right here."
"B-but it hurts" Crystal pulled her bloodied hand away from her chest. She had been gripping her heart without even knowing it. Her hand was hurting and her heart was hurting even worse. She felt like such a wreck.
Draco didn't understand what she meant at first, but when he saw her bandaged hand he couldn't help but reach out and take it gently in his own. "What did you do?"
Crystal didn't hesitate to pull out the same lie she had use earlier on her brother. "I fell last night while trying to see you." She looked down pretending to be shy, hoping Draco would take it.
"No you didn't" He said firmly. She was lying, there is no way she would have fallen and cut herself that badly and not gone to Madam Pomfrey, she's not stupid. She knows how to take care of herself when it comes to bleeding. There's more that she's not saying. Did Umbridge really blame her? She hasn't even been near the twins.
"I did too" Crystal glared as well as she could through her teary eyes.
Draco glared right back and grabbed her hand. Crystal tried fighting back but he was too strong for her. As gently as he could with her fighting, he peeled of the bandages to see her scabbed bloody skin. He stared at in the moonlight till it dawned on him. Dark magic…she's been doing lines with her own blood. He couldn't believe what he was seeing as he read 'I must not tell lies' written clearly in her neat hand writing.
"I didn't lie! I didn't…I didn't know they were leaving" Crystal began sobbing again as she collapsed in Draco's lap. "It's not my fault. I didn't want them to leave. But they left. They left me." She rambled on all through her tears while Draco gently rubbed circles on her back.
"I believe you." He said in a soft voice.
"She doesn't though. She's a horrible toad." Crystal cried even louder. "She doesn't believe the message has sunk in yet. She's horrid and worse than the Dark Lord."
Draco let out a small laugh at her words. "Listen to yourself. Crystal everything is going to be alright, you just need to show Umbridge you are sorry."
"That would be lying because I didn't do anything wrong. Fred kissed me, how is that my fault?" Crystal pulled herself on her hands and looked up at Draco with large eyes.
He let a sad smile play across his lips as he reached out and brushed some of her hair out of her face. "Do you have feelings for Fred?" He finally asked the question that had been playing through his head ever since that moment that he saw the two embrace one another and let their lips softly met.
"I love Fred" Crystal said without hesitation. "He's my best friend and so is George. They've been there for me and helped me through so much. But Draco so have you." Crystal reached out and cupped his face in her hand. "You've always been there for me. And Draco?" Crystal stared right into his eyes "I love you and that will never change."
"I love you too Crystal." Draco smiled and gave one last look into her beautiful eyes before he closed his eyes and leaned in for a gentle kiss. "Which is why I must do this" Draco smiled deviously before standing up.
"Do wh-" Crystal started but didn't get to finish. Draco had already lifted her up and thrown her over her shoulder. Crystal started screaming in protest but Draco ignored it.
"We have business to take care of" Draco said as he patted her legs to keep her from kicking them so wildly. So instead Crystal pounded her fist into his back a couple of times before giving up completely and falling into a bored stoop.
"If you take me to the hospital wing, I will kill you." Crystal glared down at the floor as Draco carried on walking down the staircase.
"At least I'd die in a hospital wing. But I know you don't have it in you to use the killing curse. Maybe crucio, but not the killing curse." Draco teased as his smirk never left his lips.
"Yeah, just shut up you bloody boggart." Crystal sighed as she tried to figure out where exactly Draco was taking them. They were heading the opposite way of the Hospital wing. They were heading more towards the dungeons. But why was he taking her there? Was he taking her to the Slyhterin common room? Perhaps he wanted her to see Theo.
But soon it became very clear where they were going. It wasn't the Slytherin common room at all. He had carried her all the way to the head of Slyhterin's office, Professor Snape. But why?
"Professor" Draco said clearly as he knocked on the door.
"Come in Draco" Professor Snape called out through the door. Obviously he and Draco were a lot closer than most students by the way he used Draco's first name.
"Thank you" Draco said as he opened the door, still not setting Crystal down.
"To wha-" Professor Snape started but cut himself off as he noticed Crystal thrown over Draco's shoulder. "Is there a problem?" He asked in a rude voice as Draco walked in and set Crystal down on one of the two chairs.
"A slight problem" Draco said while standing behind Crystal. "Can you do something about her hand? She refuses to go to Madam Pomfrey."
"You would too, I already told you I'm not giving into that toad." Crystal growled defensively pulling her hand to her heart once more.
Snape looked curiously between the two teenagers before deciding what to do. "Draco, why don't you excuse yourself? I will take care of Miss Nott."
Draco nodded curtly and listened "Of course Professor Snape."
The minute Crystal heard the door snap her mouth snapped open with fury. "I don't want to be here nor do I need help. My hand is just fine." She spoke loud and clear but didn't bother looking at Snape. She was already half way out of her chair before Snape grabbed her and pushed her back down.
"You know, it's rather humorous that she believes you've been lying. You are craftier than your mother. Really makes me wonder why you aren't in my house." Snape knew exactly what to say. She was just like her mother after all only a lot smarter. That made all the difference. He believed in Crystal more than he believed in her mother Lucy Baskerville. He had grown to like Crystal and was concerned for her safety. Every false move she made he began to fear for her. Maybe it was because Lucy's finally wish to him was that he watched over her daughter, or maybe it was because Crystal intrigued him. He was surprised at how well she slithered her way out of messes she had gotten herself into. She had proven that on a number of occasions and her occlumency was top notch. No wonder the Dark Lord had taken favor of her.
"Because she's foolish" Crystal said in a soft voice. She knew he was a teacher and yet she was being disrespectful. She couldn't help it though. She was frustrated that Draco even thought to bring her here of all places. "And afraid of losing her position because she wasn't able to tame the twins, so maybe the side kick could be punished."
"Anyone with eyes would realize you have been around that dunderhead Longbottom and not the twins the last several weeks. Not to mention those two had the brains they choice to waste them on jokes. Why would they even need your help?" Snape spat as he reached out and pulled Crystal's hand. Without a word he began examining her hand.
"I did help them, just not in the way Umbridge believes." Crystal admitted. "I'd rather it not be healed, my hand that is. She's just going to keep making me do more lines. That's why I haven't bothered healing it." Crystal pulled her hand away as Snape pulled out his wand.
"That won't be a problem. Your detentions will be with the head of your house." Snape said and grabbed her hand back while performing spells to heal the wound.
"Umbridge won't go for that." Crystal sighed but wished deep in her heart that she would.
"I will see you in potion's tomorrow. Good evening" Snape stashed his wand and pointed to the door. Crystal didn't question and left right away.
She couldn't help feeling a bit lighter. Her hand felt much better. The scare she knew would stay a really long time, but at least the pain was gone for now…well the pain on her hand. The loneliness she felt was still there.
She smiled the minute she left the office, Draco was waiting right there for her with hot chocolate in his hand. "Ready to go back? We still have a bit of time before curfews up."
Crystal shook her head and took the hot chocolate in her hands. She gave Draco a smile before taking a sip and walking away from him. "I'd rather be somewhere else tonight."
"What do you mean? Where else can we go?" Draco looked at her puzzled.
"Let's go to the Slyhterin common room" Crystal twirled around slightly spilling some hot chocolate "I want to hang out with Theo and Blaise!" She took a sip of her hot chocolate "And maybe Crabbe and Goyle." She smiled
Draco blinked at her. She never willingly came to the Slyhterin common room let alone want to hang out with Slyhterin's. Well she would hang out with Theo, but he's her brother why wouldn't she? Was she playing at something? Or did she really mean the words that came out of her mouth? He looked at her and traced her eyes for any emotions, but all he saw was pain. She was still hurting. He looked at her hand, it was healed but he could clearly see 'I must not tell lies' on it. Her heart was still hurting. She was longing for the blood traitors. Who was Draco to deny her to where she rightfully belongs? Away from the blood traitors and mudbloods, he smiled broadly. He would bring her to the common room since that's what she wants.
"Of course anything you want." He held out his hand which she graciously took. "Although Pansy might get a bit foul and not allow it." He chuckled softly.
Crystal frowned her excitement had been drained out. She had forgotten about rotten old Pansy. "Why do you do this?" She scowled "Why do you let her walk all over you?"
Draco stopped walking at once and turned to Crystal. "Believe it or not the Parkinson's are a well-respected family." He said simply.
"This isn't about family honor, Draco." Crystal flew her arms out wildly leaving hot chocolate to spill all over the floor and the cup to fly shattering on the wall. She ignored it completely and focused only on Draco. "This is about you because let's face it there are only two Slyhterin's I care about, you and Theodore."
Draco stared at the hot chocolate that had trailed along the floor and even dampen his shoes. He couldn't look up at Crystal. He felt ashamed. "I believed you'd never come back. I thought you'd always stay in America."
"But I am here now" Crystal cried as she clutched onto her bracelet.
"I know" Draco reached out and pulled her into a hug. "I know Crystal, but if you weren't who else was I left to marry? You know how pureblood families are! She…I had to get closer to Pansy since I thought you weren't an option." Draco pulled Crystal's body even closer to him as he began stroking her hair. "I can't just throw her out now that your back. Please understand" He begged as he planted a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
"I'm not asking you to throw her out." Crystal looked up at Draco with wide eyes. "Just, I'm here now and you…well." Crystal paused something dawned on her. "How did you convince your parents to agree to us being betrothed? I mean my dad thinks I'm a half-breed blood traitor."
"I didn't want you stuck with Crabbe or Goyle" Draco stroked her hair gently ignoring her question. It was true, he wanted her for himself. He was being selfish, but he always got what he wanted. He had loved her since they were children and with her back he wanted her to know that. He wanted her to know Pansy meant nothing, nothing compared to her. She was his world. She was his sun. And she was the reason why he could smile every day and every night. She knew him the best and she afraid to break the rules. That to him brought on a thrill. She was everything he wasn't. She filled that space. He couldn't help but smile "Since the Dark Lord found you in his favor it wasn't that hard to plant the idea in Father's mind."
"It's not like I had planned that" Crystal blushed, so good things really did come out of her being in the Dark Lords favor. "It was an accident, I just…I was frustrated and I tried escaping from you."
"Not like you haven't done that before. You always hide from me." Draco laughed.
Crystal narrowed her eyes "Not always, I'm not hiding now." She gently shoved Draco and crossed her arms with a big pout. "I'm really not sure why he took favor in me. It's all so much."
"I know and it's not something you wanted." Draco said softly. "But it brought you closer to me." He smiled before leaning in and planting a small kiss on her lips. "Come on, let's get to the common room for a bit before you have to go back to the Gryffindorks."
Crystal ended up spending a lot of time in the Slytherin common room from then on out. Neville and the trio were very understanding. Even her new found friends Lavender and Parvati, who as of recently have taken a liking to her, have been more than understanding. They wanted all the details of every single thing that happened. They didn't seem to care that Draco was a Slyhterin, rather they cared more about her life and how elegant it seemed to be. On several occasions they would pull her away from the table because they seemed to hold her up high. They valued her opinion and they let that show.
It had been going on for a couple of weeks. Soon the OWL's were drawing near for the 5th year as were the tensions. But a Hogsmeade visit was coming up that brought on a fresh wave of excitement and temporarily quilled the tension and stress.
"No Draco, I can't" Crystal said flatly as she tapped her foot impatiently. They were standing outside the great hall ready to head to dinner, but Draco wasn't listening.
"But you aren't even going to Hogsmeade with me" Draco crossed his arms hoping she would see how upset he was. He knew he was being selfish with her, but he had gotten used to seeing her almost every night. Why should tonight be any different? He got what he wanted and she was denying him of that tonight.
"You said you were okay with that" Crystal said in a deflated voice. She had been looking forward to Saturday. It was supposed to be a girls day, until they met up with some guys later on in the day. Crystal would be meeting up with Neville of course. She felt like she owed him a day. Draco said he was okay with it, but now he didn't. What was she going to do? You don't cancel a girls night…or so she was told. And she couldn't cancel on Neville! He was such a sweet guy and a good friend.
"I am but you won't even eat dinner with me tonight." Draco sighed and was very close to pouting.
"I have homework to do so I can go to Hogsmeade" Crystal rolled her eyes. "And no, I can't do my homework with you. I get nothing done when I'm with you." Crystal added quickly so he couldn't protest. "I'll eat dinner with you tomorrow, you can see me then okay?" Crystal smiled then boldly in front of the great hall planted a kiss on Draco's lips. "I love you, now be good." She smiled and walked away towards the Gryffindor table.
Draco sighed once more and shook his head before heading over to Theodore, Crabbe, and Goyle who had been waiting for him.
"She didn't want to eat dinner with us?" Theodore asked as Draco approached by himself. He then turned to the Gryffindor table and glaring at his sister who was laughing with Longbottom.
"You have to admit she's gotten better." Draco smiled as his eyes too traced over to where she was. He frowned though the minute he saw her laughing with Longbottom. He scowled and grabbed some food feeling slightly heavy.
"She still acts like a blood traitor though." Crabbe growled in his low deep voice after noticing Draco's scowl.
"Which is why you" Theodore pointed his fork at Draco "Should ask her out." He stated firmly.
"I feel like she will say no." Draco admitted as he took a sip of water.
"You're Draco Malfoy" Goyle pointed out. Though it didn't need pointing out, Draco knew who he was and knew he could get almost any girl he wanted within reason.
"That won't work on Crystal." Theodore sighed. She drove him insane sometimes. Why couldn't he have a normal sister? She was so different from any other pureblood. "But I doubt she will say no" Theodore carried on with a smile. He looked over at his sister who was now with Potter, the mudblood, and the Weasel. She was in a deep conversation with the mudblood. Meanwhile Longbottom, Weasel, and Potter talked causually, at least she was paying no attention to them. But she was still talking with a mudblood. She was so confusing that Crystal. As her brother he knew she cared for Draco. She had been holding her tongue lately and spending time with Slyhterins. She was going against everything she believed in to be with him. Why would she say no? "Besides, she doesn't have a choice." Theodore pointed out after a moment of silence.
"That's what scares me." Draco said softly. He knew her better than her brother. He knew how she was the type to be free. She had to be free. As of lately she had been caging herself up, when would she snap? It would only be a matter of time. And what if she didn't snap, what if she just ran away? Would the order protect her? He just didn't want to push her. There were too many chances. He loved her and he finally had her. He had to hold on.
"Just ask her out tomorrow du-" Theodore started but cut himself off when Draco was pulled tightly into a hug by a squealing Pansy.
"Draaacooo" She whinned and held on tight. "Why did you let that blood traitor kiss you?" She questioned as she seated herself down next to Draco and began eating his roll that he had been saving.
Draco tired not to growl. Pansy was always so cold with jealously. "Because Pansy" Was the only answer he could come out with. He wanted to keep this short and simple.
"Oh well anyways" Pansy brushed it off as if it was nothing. Her face was radiant as it always was when she was around Draco. Her eyes lit up and her lips held a smile from ear to ear. "I was wondering if you wanted to spend time with me at Hogsmeade tomorrow." She questioned in careful words. She had taken notice of Draco lately and he was not too fond of her as of late. He had been spending more time with her and it wasn't a good thing. She was twisting his brain. And she was a lair. A filthy lair who was simply stealing her Draco away because that blood traitor twin left her…Pansy knew. Pansy was onto her. She was just trying to get her way and if it was going to hurt Pansy in the process…well Pansy wouldn't allow that. Two could play at that game.
"I will be there with Crabbe and Goyle if that's okay with you." Draco lied, he wasn't even sure of his plans for Hogsmeade, but if was going to Hogsmeade it was implied that without a date he would go with Crabbe and Goyle.
"If you wanted it could be just you and I" Pansy batted her eyelashes as she leaned in closer to Draco.
"Oh save it you cow." Theodore snapped, some times that girl was so infuriating to him. It could have been because he wanted Draco to be with his sister or it could have been she was an annoying giggler.
"This doesn't concern you Nott" Pansy glared at him before turn back to Draco with her sickly sweet smile.
"No, why don't you hang out with your girlfriends, Pansy." Draco said hoping that would be good enough for Pansy. But it wasn't.
She let out a deflated and overly dramatic sigh trying to pull Draco's heart strings. "Fine" she huffed and puffed as she walked away.
But that was fine with Draco. He didn't want her around too much. She hated when Crystal saw him with her. It made him feel so guilty. He couldn't help but wonder if she ever felt that way. He couldn't be sure. She tended to lean towards whatever made her happy. A free spirit…she truly was free.