Questions
I was awoken the next morning by some loud tapping. The first and only thought that came to me was that Denali had finally forgiven me and had come back to kiss and make up. I sprung out of bed like it was on fire and raced to my window. With a swish of my wrist, it was open and the only thing I saw was an autumn sky and felt a cool wind gush in.
The cool air woke my other five senses up and I realized that the tapping had come from my door. I let out an irritated sigh and strode over to my door, anger present in every footstep. I yanked open my door, fully prepared to lash out at Draco for waking me at such an ungodly hour. My anger deflated almost immediately when I found myself staring into emerald green whirlpools of life. I had seen those eyes before, just not as close.
"Henria?" My name graced his lips as a question.
"Harry." I replied with a nod.
"Uh, yeah, we need to talk to you." he said uncomfortably. He apparently has difficulty asking for help.
"We?" I asked. My sight was still blurry from sleep. I only noticed the two figures behind him when he glanced back. I nodded at Hermione and Ronald in recognition. "Okay. Just let me grab a sweater." I answered before I closed my door.
I glided to my trunk and retrieved a sweater. I slipped it on as I looked over at my bed in a small hope of finding Denali there. I sighed unhappily before I silently walked over to my door. When I opened it and saw the Trio talking amongst themselves on the couch, I quietly padded over and gently sat down. Ronald jumped at my sudden appearance. I flashed him an apologetic smile before I turned to Harry.
"What is the problem?" I asked getting to the point.
"Don't you have any manners?" Hermione asked, her eyes narrowed. I turned a cold stare her way. I felt like some sarcasm early in the morning.
"Fine." I said sharply, "How are you? Good? That is fantastic." I said quickly, "Now, what seems to be ailing you?" I added.
"Smart arse." Hermione muttered under her breath. I flashed her a devilish grin.
"Well, Ron and Hermione told me that Dumbledore thought of you as clever. He spoke of you to them with admiration. And that we should ask you at anytime for help if we see fit." Harry began, more at ease now that he realized that I was not going to bite his head off. I do not know why he would think I would. "Well, we think we might need you for something." I smiled lightly at the high praise. My great uncle was always talking about me. I must have looked slightly confused.
"What Harry is trying to say, is we need help with a clue someone wrote to the last Horcrux." Hermione replied before Harry could open his mouth to confuse me even more. "Well, we think that Professor Dumbledore had been trying to figure it out. You see, it is in the form of a riddle. We do not recognize the handwriting." Hermione pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to me. "We understand you and him were fairly alike. He was a clever man. You inherited that cleverness. We were wondering if you could maybe help us piece together this riddle so that we can destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." I stared hard at this girl in front of me.
I could see that constant worry and hard travel had not done this girl any good. I looked into her eyes and they were dull. Their normal shine was gone, the life was sucked out of them. Her skin was pale and gaunt across her cheekbones. There were dark bruises under her eyes and bags that could put a bloodhound to shame. Weight loss was evident in her arms and hands. They were nothing but skin and bones. Her hair was messier then ever. Not like when I had visited her at Headquarters. She was a different person.
Her male counterparts looked a lick better, but not by much. While hard travel had left Hermione weak looking, Ronald and Harry had gotten some muscle. They too had bags and dark circles under their eyes. Although they did not lose as much weight as Hermione, they had lost of inches off their waists. All three of them were slumped over as if they were exhausted. Which is what they probably were. 'Too many sleepless nights.' I thought to myself. I folded the parchment in half without looking at it.
"Yeah, sure, I will help you." The three of them looked visibly relieved. "After you three stay here for a week and sleep." Hermione's back went as stiff as a four by two and Harry's eyes narrowed. Ronald bristled like he was insulted.
"Sownbinder! We need the answer. The weight of the-" Ronald began before I interrupted him sharply.
"Weasley! What you need is a few hot, relaxing baths, some home cooked meals and a lot of sleep." I said while looking at each, in turn, in the eyes. "Maybe even a good relaxing game of Quidditch."
"What you need, all four of you, is to shut up so I can sleep." a voice snarled from behind us. I did not bother to look back.
"Go to hell, Draco." I threw over my shoulder. He snorted and closed his door. "Now, where was I...? Oh yeah! And don't you start calling me by my last name." I snapped at Ronald, "I am serious. You three look like you hiked around the world in three days."
"Be that as it may, Henria, but we need that answer now to sooner start this war to end the threat of Him." Hermione replied in a short tone.
"Yes, I understand, but there is no way our defenders should look like this when the war hasn't even begun." I said, making them think over it a little. "All I am asking is a week, five days minimum. You need it or Vol-"
"DON'T!" the trio shouted at once. I looked bewildered at them.
"They've spelled his name so if you speak it, they will come and find you and kill you." Harry explained quickly.
"Fine." I swallowed back my attitude. I needed to have a level head right now, "He-Who-Is-An-Idiot will win this war." I finished my previous thought.
"Hold on. Let's think about it." Harry motioned for the other two to follow him.
The three of them got up and walked over to a corner to discuss my very fine points. They used hushed tones. I could only make out a few words and that did not help me at all. I started to examine my sweater for lint. After I had finished my sleeve, I started working on my shoulder when they migrated back to the couch. I looked up at them blankly.
"Fine, we will stay here for five days." Harry said sternly, "Five days only."
"Good." I said, my spirits lifting a little. "I can change the colors in my room and set up three smaller beds. You three can use my room while I sleep on the couch." I got up to do just that when a hand descended on my arm to prevent me from going anywhere. I stared up and saw two earnest pools of blue looking at me.
"No, Hermione and you can share the bed while Harry and I sleep on the couch." Ronald said. His mother had taught him something after all.
"How very kind of you, Ronald." He winced at his full name. "But there is no need. I can conjure this stuff with a few snaps of my fingers and a couple of flicks of the wrist." I gently took his hand off of my arm. I headed for my door. "Want to help me redecorate?" They all nodded enthusiastically. I smiled broadly while opening my door.
When they had stepped into my room, I heard Hermione 'Ooh' in delight at the color. One of the boys coughed and I shook my head. I could see that Hermione's eyes were brighter and full of more excitement. It was nice to have someone appreciate my taste in color for once. Even if it did make me feel a bit girly.
Because I could hear the boys shifting uncomfortably, I flicked my wrist to make golds and reds appear on the walls. The furniture, save for my bed, was primarily red with gold trim. I tossed in a few throw pillows of white to jazz it up a notch. I heard Hermione gasp and Ronald and Harry were 'wowing' at my display. I was more proud of the redecoration then the wandless magic, for various reasons.
"You can do wandless magic!" It was not a question that came out of Ronald's mouth. That is what is called amazement. I am sheepish around amazement.
"Um, yes." I said with a blush creeping up my neck.
"When did you learn?" Hermione inquired.
"I don't remember." I mumbled, "Anyway, what color do you want your bedcovers to be?" I asked quickly to keep the blush out of my cheeks.
"Green." Harry responded.
"Red for me." Hermione put in.
"Blue I suppose." Ronald said with stars still in his eyes. "Could Dumbledore do that?" Hermione smacked his arm.
"It's fine." I said, as she looked ready to hit him again. "Yeah, he could. But that doesn't help us now, does it?" I added with a grim smile. "Now, for the beds." I said before I snapped my fingers.
My bed vanished. It was replaced with three smaller beds. One green with deep forest green trim, another with red and purple trim. The third bed was blue with gray trim. The pillows of the three beds match the trim of their respective beds. Over all, they were soothing and comfortable.
"Wow, thanks Henria!" Ronald exclaimed as he walked over to his. I felt a smile flitter across my lips.
"Alright, you three off to bed." I said as I grabbed my trunk. I turned to the bathroom and was about to enter when Harry's voice caught my attention.
"You would have made him proud." he said, "Not because of the wandless magic, because you are putting yourself out to help us. We can never thank you enough." I turned to look at him and saw that Ronald was almost already asleep and Hermione was taking off her cloak. I smiled widely this time. A genuine smile, for their sake.
"Thank you Harry. That means a lot to me." I said before I went into the bathroom.
I pushed my trunk into a corner and grabbed my shampoo and a bar of soap. I turned on the hot water and let it run while I stripped to my birthday suit. I looked underneath the bandages on my shoulder and saw that it was healing just fine. I took them off and stepped under the steamy hot water. I let out a low hiss as the burning hot liquid bore into my skin. I turned the dial for a little more hot water. I could feel the tension and stress melt away.
I lathered up my hair. When I rinsed it out, I grabbed the bar of soap and ran it around my body. The strong base stung my shredded shoulder, but I felt clean all the same. I turned the water off and grabbed my towel and wrapped it around me before I stepped out of the curtain. When I did step beyond the curtain, I gripped the towel tighter and froze.
"Why'd make the water so hot if you knew it would burn?" Draco asked me.
"Because I felt like it." I replied lamely.
"I see." he said with a smirk. "Need help redressing your shoulder?"
"No, I can do it just fine by myself.&" I said in reply while turning around to pull the towel up and tighter around my body. When I turned back around, I almost collided with Draco's chest. He had moved quite quickly and silently.
"What is your trunk doing in the bathroom?" he asked. His steel grey stare held my eyes.
"I have a few guests in my room. I felt no need to disturb them while they slept." I replied and took a step back. Draco only took a step forward to keep us the same distance apart.
"You mean the Gryffindorks are still here?" Draco asked with disgust tainting his tone. I smirked at him.
"No, the Golden Trio has not yet left.&" I said cheerfully, "Nor will they leave for another five days." My smirk turned into a smile. "Now get out of my way so I can get dressed." All apparent joy dropped out of my tone and features.
"Now who is changing moods quickly?" he asked rhetorically with a quirked eyebrow, "Why aren't they leaving?" Draco made no move to leave.
"Because." I replied shortly. He looked at me expectantly. I growled and walked to my trunk. "I told them to stay." I bent down and rummaged through the contents for some clean clothing. "They looked awful, so I told them to get some sleep, good food and a little fun." I extracted clean clothes. I turned to the wall and tied the towel off at my waist.
I slipped on my bra, fastened and then started to button up my shirt. When I finished, I grabbed my underwear and, with the towel still tied around my waist, I pulled them on. When the towel started to slip, I snatched at it like my life depended on it. I heard Draco chuckle at me. I threw a glare over my shoulder as I tied the towel again. I snatched my pants and pulled them on.
This time, when the towel did fall, I made no move to get it. I buttoned and zipped my pants and bent over to pick up the towel. When I came back up, I felt strong arms wrap themselves around my waist. I felt myself stiffen at the closeness.
"You are positively entertaining when you get dressed without trying to show anything." Draco murmured silkily into my ear before he started to nuzzle my neck. My body responded to his gentle touch despite my brain's protest. I felt myself mold to fit perfectly with him.
"You know, I am known to blasting people into a million pieces for getting me angry. You are making me angry." I said breathlessly. It had been a very long time since anyone had held me this way. It felt good. It felt really good and I had forgotten that.
"I bet you are." he mumbled into my neck sending little tingles down my spine, "But you won't blast me into a million pieces." and I knew he was right. He was right because I was so comfortable and caught in the ecstasy that he created. That disturbed me.
"How can you be so sure?" I asked as he gently nipped my neck. That sent a shiver down my spine. A moan got caught in my throat. I felt him smile against my skin.
"Because your body is trembling with want." He laid a trail of kisses up my neck and started to nibble and suck on my jaw. My hormones were jumping. I could feel that my breathing had changed.
"Oh Merlin." I whispered. I could feel Draco's body pulsing with lust against my back. His heartbeat was thrumming against my shoulder blade.
Draco's hands slid across my stomach to my opposite sides. I felt his hands warm there for a moment before they started up my shirt. My skin felt like it was on fire at his touch. My nerves were sending electric shocks in a radius from his fingertips. I turned in his hands and let my hands rest on his chest. I could feel the rhythm of his heart quicken even more.
Right before I shoved him.
He stumbled backwards but kept his footing this time. When he had his balance again, he shot a fierce glare my way. I could feel the coldness not just from his sudden lack of closeness, but also from the resentment in his stare. I bent down for the towel that had somehow fallen during that very steamy scene. I started squeeze out the water in my hair.
"Bitch." he snapped. I stared at him, unfazed at his crude name-calling.
"Not a quick study, are you?" I responded as I wrapped my hair up in the towel. "If you didn't see that coming from the encounter yesterday, you aren't as bright as I thought." His glare deepened at my words.
"How can you be so heartless?" His words would have hurt if I had a heart. Well, they hurt like a bitch.
"How can you have a heart and still be in Slytherin?" I shot back. His glare lightened, but his words still rang in my ears. It did not sit well with me to be heartless.
"Touche." he replied. Draco backed away towards his bedroom door. I watched him carefully and kept my face blank. "Seeing as you are so keen in keeping me away, I shall bid thee ado and be off." Draco said with a bow, "Good day." and he left through his door without another word.
I felt pinpricks in my eyes. The stupid bastard knows the way into my heart. Elizabethan. I sound like some kind of romantic. That is lovely. Too bad my heart is only so big and I only care about so many things. I rubbed the back of my hand over my eyes and grabbed my bag. I have no time for such trifles. That is what I keep telling myself. That way it will not effect me. Because I really want my bird.
I stepped out of the bathroom and into my bedroom where I nearly fell over from surprise.
"Why are you, forcibly, helping us?" a small voice asked from the three beds. I turned and saw Hermione sitting up. She looked comfortable and ready to drop off into dreamland.
"Because I felt like it." I responded lamely, "Now go to sleep."
"Why?" Hermione pressed. I almost sighed.
"Because I have to feel like I am doing something. I feel like I need to live up to His name." I looked deep into her tired eyes, "Now, go to sleep." I said firmly.
"You would make him proud, y'know. You have no reason to worry." and she rolled over and fell asleep. I smiled softly at her sleeping form and quietly left my room.
When I looked out into the Common Room, I saw it was vacant. I did sigh then, from both relief and disappointment. After what I said, I was not too keen on seeing Draco, but it never hurt to hope. I covered the distance from my door to the Common Room door and quietly opened the door. I took one last look back and left to go down to breakfast. I decided that my second day of school was not too bad. I just had a few things to fine tune and I would be set. It was an okay beginning.