Chapter 21: I dare you to move like today never happened before.
A/N: Truth be told, this story was to lead up to the squeal. Next chapter is the final. So! Thanks for all the support and reviews so far. You guys are the best!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
There was talking around her. It wasn't screaming and the atmosphere was a lot lighter. Crystal's eyes began to flutter open as the sun trickled down on her arm. She was safe…she had to have been. Everything seemed so warm and friendly. Crystal groaned as she opened her eyes and attempted to sit up. Her ribs felt weak, her head even weaker. She felt ready to vomit as her head throbbed painfully.
"Crystal!" She heard a couple of voices call out from next to her. Her eyes slowly adjusted and she looked over to see Hermione and Ron shifting in their beds to see her whereas Ginny, Neville, and Luna all came over and sat on her bed.
"You just missed Harry...I'm sure he'd be glad to know your awake." Ginny smiled solemnly and looked down at her hands as she sat at the foot of Crystal's bed.
"What happened?" Crystal pushed up on her arms so she could sit and stare at the group. "How long have I been out?" She stammered looking around. She had to have been out the longest.
"Only about a day," said Luna brightly.
"Madam Pomfrey thought you'd be out for days." Neville grimaced as he reached out and held Crystal's hand. "You have no idea how bad it sounded after Malfoy cursed you." Neville gave a tiny shutter and squeezed her hand as the images flashed in his head again. He couldn't get it out of his head. He was so worried about her and now she was awake. Obviously she was in pain, but she was awake! "We though…" He paused and looked away from her up at the ceiling "We thought for sure you…" He didn't finish, he didn't need too. Crystal could figure, they thought she had died.
"You broke your spine when you landed, which was the sound Neville and Harry heard." Hermione filled in over the silence that over took the group. "Madam Pomfrey fixed it up as best as she could."
"That's why I feel so stiff." Crystal laughed weakly. "How did we get out? I mean…how are we alive?" Crystal looked around at the group. She couldn't believe how well they made out. Everyone looked decent enough. Hermione looked like she was in a lot of pain, and Ron seemed to have scarring from the brains, but overall everyone looked decent.
"Well that and your concussion" Neville turned away from the ceiling now and sat on her bed and pulled her close to him.
"It could have been worse. The order came just in time." Ginny smiled as she took some candy off of Crystal stack and helped herself to some pixie dust.
"Order?" Crystal raised an eyebrow and looked between the group before her. "You mean the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yeah," Ginny nodded but she didn't look thrilled. Her heart seemed to be crying out. Everyone looked a bit solemn.
"Kingsley, Tonks, Lupin, Moody, and Sirius all came to our rescue" Hermione filled in as Ginny got off of Crystal's bed and walked over to the window. "But…"
"Don't" Ginny snapped as she stared out the window and covered her face with her hands.
"What happened?" Crystal felt insensitive and she wanted to get up and put an arm around Ginny. She had grown fond of Ginny, especially how much help she was last night. The girl was incredible. Everyone did so well. Just something about sharing a near death experience with them made them feel like family to her. She wanted to help them all.
Neville shook his head and pulled Crystal into a hug. He held her tight and whispered into her ear so no one else would have to listen. "Sirius Black, Harry's godfather died." He filled her in.
Crystal gasped loudly before she started choking from the lump in her throat that had formed. She felt awful. Sirius meant so much to Harry. Harry had no one left now. He only had his friends. She could only imagine how lonely Harry must felt right now. He was just telling her the other day how much he wanted to see Sirius. He was just…he was alive not too long ago. How horrible Harry must be feeling. Everything went so terribly wrong. This was awful. She had to go find Harry. She had to make things right. But the minute she tried sitting up Neville had pushed her back down, just in time too. Madam Pomfrey was bustling into the room and almost immediately started to pamper over Crystal, shooing Neville, Ginny, and Luna out at once.
Crystal was not in good shape according to Madam Pomfrey. She needed to walk with a cane for at least 3 weeks and she had to be careful because of how severe her concussion was. Crystal didn't argue though and try to over to overdo it. Even when she was released from the hospital with Ron and Hermione she still stayed strong. Over those three days that they were in the hospital wing was by far the best time Crystal had experienced in a long time. The friendship that had formed between Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna was irreplaceable. Harry of course made himself scare, but no one could blame him. His pain had to be immense.
Crystal never saw head nor tail of Draco or her brother. It wasn't a good sign, but Hermione kept reassuring her everything would be okay. Crystal didn't know why but she believed her. She held the bracelet he had given her to her heart. She slept peacefully knowing that her friends were supporting her even if her family wasn't.
So when they finally left she was able to hold her head high as she hobbled out with her cane. They were released right during lunch on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The term was almost over in a couple of days, so she barely had to do think about what she had to do. But she knew Hermione was right as they edged their way to the Great Hall.
"Go on," Hermione smiled warmly as she rested a hand on Crystal's shoulder. "We'll be over at the Gryffindor table ready when you need us."
Crystal nodded, "Thank you." She smiled as she threw her arms around Hermione.
"You act like you are walking into your death." Ron rolled his eyes at the pair.
"She might as well be." Neville smiled in a teasing manner. "Go get 'um!" Neville cheered her forward.
She gave everyone one last smile before she entered into the great hall. It took her several moments to gather her bearings. She knew where she was going, but her mind kept re-living the events that happened in the department of mysterious. Her mind couldn't shake the horror that seemed to happen and it couldn't shake what surely would happen. She had talked to Dumbledore yesterday about home arrangements and she stubbornly decided she would go home. Dumbledore agreed but couldn't stress enough that if anything bad happens she needs to seek Order help immediately. His only condition for this agreement was that she learned how to make a portkey, which Hermione and her began working on as fast as they could. She felt pretty confident, but that didn't stop her heart from pounding as she walked slowly to the Slyhterin table.
Her eyes were scanning around for Draco. He was harder to find. He hadn't noticed the commotion she created when she came into the great hall somehow. He looked like he was moodily picking apart a sandwich as Crabbe and Goyle ate non-stop. Her brother was sitting across from Draco and looked just as moody as Draco. Her face contorted into a frown as she approached the group, she had no idea what to say. At least not anymore…she did have this all planned out but seeing their scowling faces made her think twice.
She was about to turn around and head to the Gryffindor table when a voice shrieked out. "Blood Traitor!"
Crystal's eyes widened as she grabbed onto her cane tightly and steadied herself to see Pansy throwing herself at Draco, forcing him into a hug. Crystal quickly composed herself and took a seat down next to her brother regardless. Draco was staring at her with wide eyes and her brother turned to look at her with a cold glare.
"I don't see a blood traitor around here anywhere—Oh" Crystal smirked widely and turned to Pansy who was stroking Draco's hair in a cooing manner. "I take that back, Draco there's a blood traitor around your neck. You might want to bathe in bleach to get that out." Crystal pointed at Pansy who let out a shriek.
"I was talking about you" She hissed as she stumbled around for her wand.
Crystal didn't let the smirk falter from her lips. "I am a pureblood from a far more noble family then the Parkinson's." Crystal shrugged and helped herself to an apple.
"You lit—" Pansy started but Draco cut her off.
"Pansy stop, we need to have a word with Crystal so why don't you run along to one of your friends?" Draco didn't look at Pansy as he shooed her off. His eyes were locked deeply with Crystal. He was conveying so many emotions but yet Crystal couldn't turn away. She wanted him to know she loved him. But most of all she wanted him to know how truly sorry she was.
"Draaakiie" Pansy whined, but Draco didn't give her the chance. He was already standing up and heading out of the great hall, Theo quickly on his heels. "You little bitch." Pansy muttered glaring at Crystal.
Crystal didn't say anything at Pansy. She didn't feel like wasting her breath. Instead she grabbed her cane and headed after her brother and Draco. They lead her far enough away from the great hall, she was winded by the time they got to the empty classroom. She wanted to complain and groan, but she didn't want to go back to the hospital wing. Her legs were feeling weak, and her head was making her dizzy. She stumbled into the classroom and took the first open desk she could reach while casting aside her cane.
"Crissy…" Her brother spoke first as Draco closed the door and began muttering spells. "Why?" was all he stuttered out as she reached out and held her hands.
"You have to understand." Crystal pleaded as she looked from Draco to Theodore.
"Understand what? That my father is in Azkaban thanks to your friends and who knows probably even you!" Draco shouted down at her. He angrily kicked the desk nearby and cursed under his breath.
"Draco" Crystal swallowed hard. The lump in her throat was forming again. Her eyes were beginning to swell as Draco's anger flared even more.
"Don't" Draco spat. His pale face flushed with anger as he looked over at her. "Death Eaters saw you there. Your own fucking father saw you there." He roared. He was beyond reason as he picked up a desk and flipped it over. "There is nothing you can do to fix this. NOTHING" He roared.
Crystal grabbed onto her ears and covered them tightly as she let a couple sobs escape her lips. Her head was beginning to pound. Draco was being extremely loud and as he threw over another desk completely forgetting his manners.
Her brother was still holding onto her hand, despite her covering her ears. She began to rock back and forth. She couldn't take much more. The pain was swelling up inside of her. She knew she made a mistake. She didn't need Draco to tell her. He was only making her feel worse.
"Draco" She whispered once more. She just wanted his arms around her. She wanted him to protect her, but right now he wanted nothing to do with her as he battled with his heart. She felt alone and scared. Her heart was falling apart. She could no longer stop the sobs that were trying to drown her.
"Draco just shut up for a moment." Theodore snapped over at Draco who stopped at once at looked at Crystal who was crying in physical and emotional pain. He regretted his tantrum at once and listened to his friend. "Crystal when we let you go in Umbridge's office you were supposed to run. Get out of there and safe yourself. Not dig yourself into deeper trouble." Theodore spoke in a calm voice. He was acting like he was scolding a child. She gently pulled his hand off of hers and began to rub her eyes, but it didn't help the tears were still flowing. She felt so childish now. She did make a huge mistake…at least in their eyes.
"I know," Crystal whispered softly "But they are my friends…" She cried and pulled her legs to her chest and continued to rock herself. She felt so scared.
"How can they be your friends? They put my father in Azkaban!" Draco screamed again causing Crystal to whimper. "And your own father nearly died. How does that make you feel?" He ignored her and carried on.
"Awful! JUST AWFUL! Okay?" Crystal screamed in a hoarse voice.
"As it should" Draco scowled as he turned his back to her. He couldn't look at her anymore.
"Draco" Theo glared at his friend who completely ignored him. "He's right though, but that's not all. You nearly died." He said with a sharp glare at his sister.
Crystal snorted "Yeah and you know whose bloody fucking fault that is?" Crystal couldn't help sneer.
"No…" Theo and Draco said at the same time turning to her with wide eyes.
"Lucius Malfoy, thank you for hexing me and breaking my spine." Crystal snarled and grabbed her cane. She walked towards the door and turned around as her hand was on the handle. "Maybe Harry was right." She shook her head and opened the door. She gave one last look at the two. The room was in disarray from Draco's tantrum, but nothing looked as disoriented as their faces. They both looked rotten, confused, and filled with sorrow. But yet they didn't move. Crystal gave a sigh and left.
She leaned up against the door for a minute, her head was throbbing. She needed to take it slow, but she didn't want to be anywhere near the two of them. She grabbed her cane tightly and headed towards the Gryffindor common room. She'd talk with Neville. He'd help calm her down. He had been doing that a lot over the last couple of days. He stayed by her side in the hospital wing and he wasn't going to leave her now. They were best friends…no they were family. Every one of her friends who went to the Department of Mysterious with her they were her family. They mattered to her. Just like Draco matter to her. It's just Draco is in a different path. She had to pull Draco to the right path. He belonged with her other friends. If he gave it time, surely he would realize how much he's been missing in her life. She couldn't help but laugh, Draco being best friends with Harry. He'd see in time.
"Crissy wait!" A voice called out after her. She had almost made it to the Gryffindor tower. She wasn't about to stop now not for anyone. She was upset at this whole situation. She maybe feeling a bit selfish right now, but given what just happened she felt she deserved it. "Crystal Beatrice Nott! Wait please!"
Crystal quickly twirled around at the use of her middle name. "Don't say my middle name" She hissed turning to Draco, expecting to see him wearing a scowl and his eyes filled with ice cold mirth. But she didn't. His features were soft and sincere. She let out a gasp as she stumbled forward from shock. She was taken aback by his appearance. She stumbled forward to meet him only to lose her balance and fall directly into his arms.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he steadied her onto the staircase.
"Fine" She blushed, but no matter how embarrassed she was, she held her gaze with Draco.
"Crystal, I didn't know" Draco pleaded and didn't let her go. He held her tightly in his arms and wanted her to hear him out. He was afraid she would run away, as he'd seen her do so many times before. "I really didn't. I'm just upset. You can understand that right?" He hoped she accepted him. He wanted her to hear him about. He was worried sick about her and he wasn't about to lose her because he lost his temper.
"I'm listening aren't I?" She breathed as a lone tear trickled down her cheek. Her heart was breaking. Draco looked so fragile right now. Was this really all her fault? No, she did the right thing. She stood by her friends.
"I was worried for you" Draco admitted sheepishly as he let her go. He watched as she steadied herself on the railing and took in a deep breath. "You could have died and given what happened you still can."
"I know" She closed her eyes letting Draco's presence fill her. It never ceased to amaze her at how well Draco was able to calm her down.
"I can't protect you if you don't let me." Draco reached out for her hand and held it tight in his. She opened her eyes and watched him curiously as he bent down on one knee and gently let his lips graze her hand. "I don't blame you for what happened to my father. But Crystal, I do blame you for putting yourself in danger." He looked up at her and let her teary eyes lock with his. "So promise me you'll stay by my side from now on."
Crystal nodded shyly as she rested her other hand on top of his. "I promise" she smiled.
"Always?" He whispered.
"Always" Crystal smiled broadly and threw herself into his arms. He gladly accepted her and spun her into a tight hug.
"What if you pull a stunt like that again?" Draco raised an eyebrow at her as he set her down on the ground.
Crystal couldn't help but laugh "I'm sorry Draco, but can you blame me?" She smirked playfully. "Harry is just so bloody attractive, how could I not side with him?"
Draco scowled, he knew she was joking but just the sound of Potter's name made him flair deep inside. He hated him. "Don't tease like that." He snarled.
"I wasn't teasing." Crystal let out a laugh.
"Take it back." Draco crossed his arms and threw her a sharp glare.
"Or else what?" Crystal narrowed her eyes at Draco.
"Or else I'll call off the engagement!" said Draco, letting the first thing that came to his mind spew out. Crystal couldn't help but laugh. That was the worst come back ever.
"If there still is an engagement ball, I'll hold you too that." Crystal winked at him. After what she pulled she wouldn't be surprised if she was send back to America or even sent to Azkaban somehow. Her father wasn't in jail, but Draco's was. Why would they keep the engagement plans anyways?
Draco's face lost all humor. "There will be. The plans for us are out of our hands." He said in a harsh whisper as his eyes darted around for people listening. But there was no one around. The day was too beautiful to be in doors.
"If I haven't messed that up yet" Crystal respond in the same tone.
"I doubt you could mess anything up." Draco smiled weakly. He didn't believe his words, but he wanted too. She was so important. He didn't want her to leave him.
"Oh ple—" Crystal's sarcasm was drowned out and she didn't get to finish.
"Oy! Crystal!" Crystal and Draco snapped around to see Ron, Hermione, and Harry waving from up on the staircase. "Dumbledore wants to see you and Hermione!" Ron called out.
"Okay!" Crystal smiled warmly at her friends knowing exactly what this was about.
"What does that old fool want with you and the mudblood?" Draco asked narrowing his eyes, pretending to ignore the approaching of her friends.
Crystal glared at Draco then hit him with her cane. "None of your business" She growled.
"Crystal…" Draco pleaded but before he could carry on Crystal leaned in and gave him a soft peak on the cheek.
"I'll see you later!" She cheered happily and started walking towards her friends. "Oh and Draco?" She turned around quickly and smiled.
"Yeah?" He answered dazed by her sudden change of mood.
"I love you!" She called out as loudly as she could, leaving Draco with a smile on his lips.
Hermione and Crystal spent most of the afternoon having Dumbledore teach them how to create a proper portkey. Dumbledore asked that Hermione be there to help her through it, which was a great idea. Hermione picked up right away and with the brains that they share they were able to figure it out in no time. Crystal was glad for the distraction too. Her mind couldn't rest. They had the feast tonight and then they were going home. Home…if she could even call it that. Where she was going would be…well she didn't want to think of it. She didn't want to know how bad this could get.
Her thoughts wouldn't rest. She had a hard time enjoying the feast and if it weren't for Neville she was sure it would have been awful. Her thoughts were so jumbled. But she stayed by Neville during the feast, much to Draco's pleading. She just wanted to be with her friends. She was hoping so much that they would give her courage to go home.
Neville knew she was distracted. He kept her smiling the whole time even if he was worried for her himself. He didn't let it show though. No matter how hard his thoughts got he continued to smile. She stayed with him from the start of the feast and to the end of the feast. He didn't want the night to end, but she was growing weary as they sat on the couch in the Gryffindor common room.
"Are you packed?" Crystal asked lightly as she snuggled closer to Neville. The castle was still a little drafty for the fact that summer was creeping up on them, she couldn't help but attempt to steal Neville's warmth.
"A little bit," Neville admitted as he put his arm around her. "What about you?"
"A little bit," Crystal let out a laugh. "I just don't want to go."
"This years been that good huh?" Neville asked as he shook her shoulder in a teasing manner.
"Only because I met you," Crystal grinned.
"No need to lie, I know it was because you got to snog thee Draco Malfoy." Neville let out a nervous laugh.
"Oh whatever, you're just jealous." She muttered.
Neville couldn't help but grin. He was going to miss her company during the summer. Who else could he tease so much? "Don't tell Gran, she wouldn't like it that I love a pureblooded monster."
"I can't say it won't come up in my letters to you." Crystal shrugged as she stifled a yawn "I-I hear Gran's a bit noisy."
"Hardly" Neville gave her a reprimanding look. "You should go to bed young lady."
Crystal shook her head in defiance and snuggled closer. "Five more minutes, Nevs."
"No Crystal, you're on the verge of falling asleep." Neville let out a sigh as she snuggled closer. "Your fiancé is going to kill me." He groaned.
"Please" Crystal begged with big eyes.
"I'm not sure if it's worth death." Neville shook his finger at her with a grin.
"I think it is" Crystal leaned closer letting Neville clearly see her pouty face. "Besides, Draco wouldn't hurt you."
"You don't call him Drakie poo?" Neville laughed as he thought of Pansy and how she always called him that.
"Only in be—" Crystal started to tease right back but Neville covered her mouth.
"I don't want to hear about that" He glared but he was laughing so the effect was lost. They both were lost in their laughter for a bit. When it calmed down they both just sat there, taking in each other. Friendship was the one thing both of them had always wanted. A friendship like this, that's what they wanted. Neville had friends…but none of them made him as happy as Crystal. Best friends…
"Promise me you'll write?" Crystal looked up with teary eyes. She didn't want the school year to end. She would miss everyone so much. It was starting to feel like when Fred and George left…she didn't want that. She wanted to be happy.
"Maybe once or twice" Neville shrugged nonchalantly.
Crystal glared and punched his arm. "Promise?" She asked again as she raised her fist ready for one more punch.
"Ouch" Neville pouted "Of course I will you know I was only kidding!"
Crystal didn't drop her glare. "How much?"
"Everyday" Neville said quickly as he pulled her arm out of the air and held it firmly in her lap.
"Truth?" Crystal asked while struggling to free her hand.
Neville on the other hand let go and pulled her into a hug "Truth, now you go to bed before it gets any later."