A/N: First of all, thank you to Alice for keeping me honest! There have been some mistakes and you always catch them for me. I think I've corrected them all! I am really excited to see what y'all think of this chapter. Please keep reviewing with your amazing predictions, desires, frustrations ETC. Also, I am not QUITE done editing Enemy of My Enemy, so if there are some details that don't quite gel, it's because it's in the planned re-write but I haven't gotten there yet. Sorry! I really need to just bang that mother out! Also, I changed Leolin's fake surname to Thénard, because I'm the goddess of this story and get to do whatever I want. Sorry for the sake of continuity. Also, I know y'all have been waiting so patiently, so I tried to write a long, juicy chapter as a thank you. Can' t WAIT to hear what y'all think! :)
Chapter Ten: Do as I Say, Not as I Do
"Are you ready, cariña?" Severina asked, watching Leolin in the mirror as she put in her earrings.
"I have to be," Leolin said, trying to steel her nerves.
"Bene," Severina said as Leolin stood. "Let me see the dress."
Leolin spun for Severina once, and the grey silk of her skirt swirled around as she did so.
"è perfetto," Severina affirmed.
"You don't think this is too much cleavage for a business function?" Leolin asked nervously.
"Lesson number one," Severina said. "There are no 'business functions' in this world. All business in Italy must be mixed with pleasure. Tonight is just a party. Just think of it as a chance to drink good champagne and make new, rich friends."
"I'm not much for parties these days," Leolin admitted, and Severina smiled.
"Parties are the best way to meet clients," she said knowingly. "Everyone who is anyone in the Italian art world will be there tonight. It will be a perfect chance to introduce you into the scene and get your feet wet. If everyone goes to plan, we will have a first target by the end of the night."
Leolin nodded.
"I know," she said. "It's just, the last party I went to was—"
She broke off abruptly, and Severina raised her eyebrows.
"Yes?"
"My own rehearsal dinner," Leolin finished.
Severina's face grew sympathetic.
"It's been a while, then," Severina said.
"Yes," Leolin said, putting her hand to her throat as she often did when she was nervous or uncomfortable. "It has."
"Why did you leave him, tesoro?" Severina asked softly.
Leolin's eyes snapped up.
"What?"
"È ovvio, you know."
"What's obvious?"
"That you still love Draco. Why did you leave him if you feel this way for him?"
"I—" Leolin said, eyes wide and sad. She closed her mouth and looked away. "It's complicated."
"It could be less so," Severina pointed out. "If you confided in me."
"No," Leolin snapped. "It's none of your business."
"Fine," Severina shrugged. "Suffer in silence, then."
Leolin said nothing, only touched her bare throat again.
"You should wear a necklace," Severina said. "Your little tick will be less obvious if you wear one."
"I don't have a tick," Leolin said defensively, dropping her hand at once. "And I—I don't wear necklaces."
"Well, you are going to wear one tonight," Severina said. "I have a pearl pendant you can wear that will match those earrings."
"I'm serious, Borgia," Leolin said, agitated. "I don't wear necklaces."
Severina put her hands on her hips.
"My game, my rules," she said with authority, fetching the pendant and extending it to Leolin. "Put it on."
Leolin's hand went to her throat as Severina brandished the chain at her. When Leolin didn't move, Severina gave her a withering look.
"This plan will only work if you can let go of the past, Lefevre. You don't have to tell me what happened with Malfoy, but if you can't put it behind you and do this right, you and I could end up in some very hot water with some not so nice people."
Leolin bit her lip, remembering when Lucius had torn the key from her throat. It had been the last piece of Draco he'd stripped away from her, and sometimes she could still feel the sting of the chain on her skin.
"Fine," Leolin bit out. "Put it on me and let's go."
Severina nodded her approval, fastening the necklace before handing Leolin her clutch.
"Lista?" Severina asked.
Severina often flitted between Spanish and Italian.
"Ready," Leolin confirmed.
They arrived at the bustling party a few minutes later, and all eyes were immediately on Severina, who glittered in her usual peacock blue.
"Here we go," she muttered to Leolin. "Our first target is going to be that fat man in the corner. That's Nicodemo Pierno. He got outbid on a Muggle painting last month at auction and he was so mad he accidentally snapped his wand in half."
Leolin watched as the man four chins jiggled as he laughed. She imagined him going to prison for owning stolen art and it made her stomach ache a little. She tried to banish the thought as Severina handed her a glass of champagne.
"Good," Leolin said, still scanning the crowed. "Anyone I should avoid?"
"That one," Severina said, inclining her head to a man in his early thirties.
His cheap suit and the beer in his hand made him stand out.
"Who is he?" Leolin asked, eying him.
"His name is Crofton Teller," Severina said. "He's an American from New York, and he works for the Art Theft division for the International Aurors Office."
Leolin couldn't help but laugh.
"That bloke's an Auror?"
"I know he doesn't seem like much," Severina said. "But don't underestimate him. If anyone is going to trip us up, it is going to be Teller."
Just then he looked up, and she raised her eyebrows and smirked.
"He's coming over here," Leolin hissed, feeling a little panic swelling up.
"Relax, tesoro."
"He looks angry."
"The first thing you need to know about Teller is that he treats everyone like they're guilty," Severina said. "All you have to do to frustrate him is act coy back. Watch."
"Well, well, well," Crofton said, stepping forward. "If it isn't the queen vipress herself. What are you doing here, Borgia?"
Severina merely smiled.
"Bonjourno to you, too," she cooed, fingering his rayon tie. "And unlike you, I was actually invited to this party. What silly little crime do are you hunting down today, amore mio?"
"Someone's been selling counterfeits of the Medici Merlin," he said, his muddy green eyes sharp. "Wouldn't know anything about that, would you Rina?"
"Only my husband calls me that," she said in answer. "Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Teller?"
"You wish," he shot back. "And you didn't answer my question."
She laughed.
"You know my family has gone legitimate," Severina said. "We don't deal in Il Marco Nero anymore."
"I bet you don't," he said hotly, his eyes finding Leolin for the first time. Leolin noted that he hadn't failed to glance at her neckline. "Who's your oily friend?"
"This is Naomi Thénard," Severina said. "She's a dealer from Paris. And before you ask, she's legitimate, too."
"Hello," Leolin said, speaking in a clipped British accent with a soft French undertone. She and Sev had agreed her normal accent was too Welsh. "Lovely to meet you. And you are?"
"Crofton Teller," he said, looking at her as if trying to memorize her face. "International Auror Office."
Leolin smiled, getting ready to make an overly flirtateous comment, when she noticed that Nicodemo was preparing to leave. She caught Sev's eye, who gave an imperceptible nod.
"Forgive me," Leolin said. "I would love to stay and chat, but I'm afraid I have to step away. I hope I see you again soon, Mr. Teller."
Crofton gave her a hard look before smiling and raised his eyebrows. Leolin felt guilty even though she hadn't done anything yet.
"Good to meet you, Naomi," he said, grabbing her hand and shaking it tightly. "And don't worry, I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot of each other going forward. Right, Rina?"
"I don't know what you mean, Teller," Severina said, still smiling.
Leolin smiled, too.
"Oh, I certainly hope so."
Leolin couldn't stop thinking about Draco that night, and it made it hard to sleep. She tossed and turned for hours, and when it was finally clear she was going to be up for a while, she grabbed her books from her bag and went downstairs. If she couldn't sleep, she should work.
Yawning, she trudged to the main den, settling in. She had been at it for about twenty minutes when she heard movement on the stairs. She looked up to see Draco sauntering down the steps towards her, clad only in his sweats. He wore the medallion Leolin had given him for his eighteenth birthday, and the Spanish silver glinted in the low light. Leolin couldn't believe he was wearing it.
"Couldn't sleep?" he said, going to the kitchen across the open space to make a cup of tea.
"No," Leolin admitted.
"Me either," he said, padding over to sit next to her as he took a large sip.
"Still hard at work, I see. Are you planning La Genie's next heist?" he asked, surveying her work.
"No," she said defensively as she snapped the book she was reading shut.
"Relax, Cal," he said, touching her knee. "It was a joke."
Her breath caught at the contact, but he didn't pull away. In fact, his thumb began brushing against her skin in soft arcs.
"We should talk about tonight," he murmured, leaning in a little.
The pendant swung as he did.
"What about it?" she croaked, her throat completely dry.
He looked at her critically, and she could feel him staring directly into her soul.
"Come on, Callie," he breathed, sounding a little pained. "Tell me it wasn't just me. Tell me you felt it, too."
"Are you drunk?" she asked. "What about Gen?"
"Please" Draco pleaded, his hand running gently up her thigh. "Let's not talk about her right now."
She watched its ascent, almost fearful.
"Draco," she whispered. "What are you doing?"
"I—" he stammered. "I don't know. But I can't fight this anymore. Can you?"
Finally, her eyes flitted to his, and she leaned in as well.
"Callie," he said softly, his voice almost ragged with desire as he gently tangled a hand in her hair. "My beautiful Callie."
"Kiss me," she demanded quietly, her eyes fluttering closed.
He obeyed, and it was like coming home. His lips were exactly like she remembered, and she immediately melted into him. He took control at once, urging her backwards on the couch before crawling on top of her, their lips still connected. He had her out of her shirt at once, and the silver around his neck was cool against her bare chest. He palmed her breasts greedily before tugging off the legging she'd been wearing. He kissed her again before moving to her neck, licking and sucking expertly as his fingers found their way between her thighs. She bucked her hips against his touch, moaning.
"I've missed this," he breathed, catching one of her nipples between his teeth.
Slowly, he began easing his way downward and leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses along her chest on taut midsection. Leolin was quivering in anticipation by the time he settled between her legs, urging her creamy thighs over his bare shoulders as his fingers continued their work. She tangled a hand into his hair as tongue finally touched her.
"I love you," she breathed as he dragged her closer and closer to the edge of ecstasy. "Draco, I love you."
"Oh Leolin," he groaned salaciously, surging up to kiss her, the medallion nestled against her skin again. "Leolin. Leolin. Leolin! Lefevre! Wake up!"
Leolin eyes fluttered open, and she sat bolt upright, her heart hammering in her chest. She was in her own bed, and Draco was standing at the foot of it, staring at her expectantly. His chest was bare, but there was no medallion around his neck.
"Maleficent, woman," he said in mild irritation. "I've been trying to wake you up for the last two minutes. The dead sleep lighter than you."
"Sorry," she said, her mouth going dry. It had been a dream. Just a dream. She closed her eyes. "I was having a nightmare."
"About Bones?" he asked.
"Something like that," she lied.
"Well, get up," he said. "We're leaving for Athens soon. Our train leaves in an hour and a half."
She just stared at him, still trying to digest her crushing disappointment. Of course it had been a dream. He frowned as she continued to look at him blankly.
"Why are you staring at me?" he demanded. "It's freaking me out."
"I'm not staring," she said, finally forcing herself to look away.
"Yes you are," he said. "Stop it."
"I was just—why is it that you're never wearing a shirt? It's weird and distracting," she said defensively.
At this a small smirk tugged at his lips.
"Look Lefevre, I know that I'm physical perfection," he said dryly. "But that doesn't mean you can stare all day."
"I wasn't staring!" she burst, feeling raw. "I just—never mind. I need to shower."
She got out of bed, and she skirted wide around him.
"Hurry up," he said, watching her retreat.
"Leave me alone," she said in a defeated voice. "I'll come down when I'm ready."
She went into the bathroom that adjoined her lavish guestroom and slammed the door, sliding down on the other side of it and burying her head in her arms. She had felt reborn believing that she hadn't imagined the connection between her and Draco the night before. However, in the cold light of reality she could see she had imagined it. The Draco in her dream had simply been a projection of her own self conscious, feeding her what she wanted to hear.
She tried to take a deep breath, but it hurt too much. There was a soft knock on the door, and her head snapped up.
"Merlin, Draco," she said tiredly. "I will be down as soon as I can."
"Are you alright?" he replied, un-phased by the edge in her tone. "You seem a little out of sorts this morning."
She didn't say anything, just lay her head dolefully on the door, wishing she could tell him everything.
"Is this about last night?" he asked at last.
Her heart fluttered nervously.
"What?" she asked.
"I—" he began, and she could imagine him running a hand through his perfect hair. "I shouldn't have been so harsh about La Genie," he said at last. "I've done a lot of fucked up things for work, too. I—I shouldn't be so judgmental."
"Thank you," she said softly.
She could tell there was more he wanted to say, and he groaned in frustration.
"I just want you to know that I don't think you're a bad person, alright?"
"I know that," she said.
"I know you know," he said, clearly having trouble finding the words to express himself. "I just mean that—it's okay you're not an angel. That's what I like about you. Hell, that's part of the reason I fell in love with you in school."
She considered this, trying to force her giddy heart to calm down.
"Thank you," she said finally.
"Okay well I—" he broke off, groaning in annoyance. When he spoke again his tone was different, less warm. "Please just hurry up and shower. Come downstairs when you're done."
"Fine," she replied. "I'll be ready in twenty."
"Thank you," he said, sounding almost relieved.
There was silence for a few moments, and Leolin bit her lip.
"Draco?" she asked, not sure what she even intended to say. In truth, she just wanted to know he was still there.
He wasn't.
Resignedly, she stood and got in the shower, trying to shift her mind from thinking about Draco to strategizing about the museum. It would technically be considered a crime scene now, and she had a feeling she was going to have to skirt a few old friends to get in. However, she'd have the advantage of having Draco with her, and she knew he would be a huge boon. There were few places in the Occidental World where the name Malfoy didn't open doors.
She had a working plan by the time she stepped out of the shower, and she quickly got dressed. She shimmied into a curve-hugging leather pencil skirt and cream coloured crop top that left several inches of taut skin exposed. It was wildly inappropriate for work, but that was partly the point. Nothing frustrated Crofton quicker than Leolin's suggestive attire. He would be so flustered he'd forget to ask the most important questions.
Draco was standing in the kitchen with his back to her wearing a smart three-piece suit when she arrived downstairs.
"Good," he said, turning at her approach. "You're finally—seven hells, Lefevre! Is that seriously what you wear to work?"
"Is something wrong with what I'm wearing?" she asked pointedly.
He growled in frustration.
"Why do you always have to do this?" he demanded softly. "It's bloody infuriating."
"Do what?" she said.
"You know what," he said. "Don't make me take back what I said about you earlier."
"You said you liked that I wasn't a saint."
"So, what? You decided to go full-on sinner?"
"Despite what you think," she said. "I didn't wear this for you," she said honestly. "This is—part of who I am in Florence. I'm sorry if it offends you."
"What does Florence have to do with anything?" he demanded.
"Listen," she said, flustered by his reaction to her outfit. She hadn't expected resistance this early, and that didn't bode well for the rest of the day. "You're going to hear and see a lot of things today I'm sure you're not going to like, but I need you to just trust me and play along."
Draco frowned.
"How reassuring," he sniped.
"Draco, I'm serious. Please. If you want my help then you're going to have to play by my rules."
He folded his arms across his chest, still not moving.
"What is it that I'm not going to like? Besides, presumably, you flirting with other men half-dressed."
"I'm not half-dressed," she said defensively. "And what do you care?"
He opened his mouth to argue this point then snapped it shut again.
"I don't," he bit out at last.
"Then it shouldn't bother you," she said prudently.
"It doesn't," he said, glaring at her.
"It certainly seems like it's bothering you," she pointed out.
He glanced at her and groaned, running his hands through his hair.
"Damnit, woman!" he seethed. "Stop toying with me!"
"I'm not!" she said, coming a little closer. "But I'm also not going to change. I picked this for a reason."
He groaned again.
"It wouldn't—it doesn't matter what you wear," he said tightly. "You're still—"
He broke off, groaning a third time.
"Damnit, Lefevre!" he started again. "Why do you have to dress so—"
"So what?" she demanded, agitated and genuinely confused. "I don't understand why you are so mad at me!"
"Why do you always to have look so—ugh!"
"So what?" she snapped again. "Just fucking spit out already."
He turned to look at her, diamond eyes alight.
"I don't know! Gorgeous!" he snapped back, resisting the urge to run a hand through his hair. "Is it really necessary you be on display all the time?"
The words should have made her happy, but the venom in his voice soured the sentiment.
"I'm not 'on display', you chauvinistic prick," she snarled, chest heaving as she sneered at him. "And what do you want me to do? Wear a bag over my head?"
Her voice was quieter now, more wounded than mad.
Seeing now that he'd hurt her, he grew frustrated again.
"I'm sorry," he bit out. "I shouldn't have—that wasn't fair of me to say. I don't know what my problem is today."
He ran a hand through his hair and making several pieces stand on end. He turned away from her, trying to pull himself together. He looked back at her, eyes penitent now. She knew he regretted what he'd said.
"I'm sorry," he repeated at last. "What you're wearing is—fine. I'm just stressed about my mum and stepdad and Lucius. I shouldn't be taking it out on you. Obviously you can wear whatever you want."
"Yes," she said solidly "I can."
"Right" he said, smoothing his hair back into place and taking a deep breath. "It's fine. You look—nice."
"Thank you," she said, nodding. She was now more nervous now than ever. If this was any indication, he was going to hit the roof when he found out about Naomi. "Shall we go, then?" she offered.
He nodded.
"I already put all the wards up, so we have to side-along. Come here."
She bit her lip, feeling so conflicted from everything that had happened that she thought she might burst.
"You know I hate side-alongs," she said resolutely. "Can't you open the floo grate?"
"Just come here," he said, extending a hand to her. "It's only a few seconds."
She looked up at him as he beckoned, and odd and unreadable expression in his eyes.
"Come on, Leolin. Let's get this over with."
Begrudgingly, she accepted his outstretched hand. She didn't know if it was the apparation that she was objecting to or Draco. This trip had been so terribly confusing thus far.
"Come here," he said again. "You can hold onto me if it helps."
She nodded silently, her mind reeling. One minute he was yelling at her for being too beautiful, and the next he was—
She could feel the warmth of his palm radiated though her back at the point it made contact with her bare skin. She laid her head on his chest, and she could smell his cologne. He brought a second hand to join the first on her back, and she melted farther into his touch, wishing this were real. They stood holding each other for a split second longer than necessary before they were spinning away.
Leolin clutched him tighter as they spun, and he brought a hand soothingly to the back of her head to shield her from the sensation as much as possible. Finally, they arrived in a crowded Muggle street, and he let go.
"C'mon," he said, not looking at her. "I don't want to miss our train."
They wove through King's Cross in silence, and Leolin longed to take Draco's hand, which hung so tantalizingly close to hers. However, she didn't, and before she knew it, they were sitting across from each other as a sleek silver train pulled out of the London station.
"Ready?" she said, readjusting her skirt so she could cross her legs.
He watched the movement intently.
"Are you?" he replied after a moment. "You seem—uneasy."
"I'm fine," she replied. "I just hope you don't hate me after today."
"I won't," he said quietly, and she looked him in the eye.
As they traveled the hour or so to Athens, Leolin mentally slapped herself. If she was going to help Sebasten and find out what Lucius was doing with La Genie, she had to get a grip. As important as Draco was, she had to put him on the back burner so she could focus on the task at hand. When the gag was broken, she could tell Draco everything.
They arrived outside the National Archeological Museum a short time later, and the though Leolin had never actually been there in person, the building was exactly what she expected from a mid-19th century design.
It was ironically yet unabashedly Neoclassical, with a wide, curving bank of ionic columns, accompanied by a restrained Neoclassical garden out front. Ignoring the irony of housing Ancient works in such a contrived space, and Leolin looked back at Draco and jerked her head towards the front entrance, which poorly resembled the cella of a Greek temple.
However, as they approached the voluted Ionic columns heralding the main doors, they noticed Aurors standing guard at everyone entryway. Draco frowned at Leolin for directions, and she simply shook her head to indicate it was nothing to worry about. In fact, this was about what she was expecting.
"Just follow me and look important," she said, striding confidently forward in spite of her spindly stilettos.
"I am important," he countered coolly, meeting her pace with ease.
When they were close enough, one of the Aurors, who couldn't have been older than twenty, held up a hand.
"Excuse me, Miss," he said. "This is an active investigation of an International crime. You can't be here."
Leolin only laughed.
"Cole," she said in Naomi's musical accent. "Is that only way to treat an old friend?"
The man's nervous rigidity loosened at once.
"Miss Thénard! I'm so sorry, I just I didn't recognize you."
Draco didn't outwardly react to this greeting, but she could feel the tension in his form as he stood beside her.
"Non, don't be sorry for doing your job! Now, is the boss here?"
Cole nodded.
"He's inside. If you don't mind me saying though, Miss Thénard, he's probably not going to be happy to see you. He's been a little on edge this morning."
"Oh that's alright," Leolin repeated, smiling. "I'm not afraid of him. May I?"
"Of course," Cole said, stepping aside.
Leolin could feel him eying Draco warily, and she smiled, putting a hand affectionately to Cole's chest and batching her eyelashes.
"Don't worry, darling," she cooed, overwhelming him with the sheer power of her sexual charm. "He's with me."
Cole swallowed hard.
"Of course," he said, and Draco slipped by wordlessly.
When they were far enough up the marble stairs, Draco looked at Leolin.
"Thénard? No wonder I couldn't find you."
Leolin flushed.
"I wasn't going to sell stolen art as myself," she said quietly, nodding and smiling as they passed more Aurors.
"If you were working with the thieves, how is it you know the Aurors?"
"The closer you are to danger," Leolin shrugged.
Finally they arrived in a large plaza on white marble, and Leolin immediately set her eyes on a man whose back was currently turned. She strode confidently towards him, and sensing her approach he rotated, a dark scowl appearing on his face as he took her in.
"Naomi, what the hell are you doing here?"
"Yes, hello, Crofton," Leolin said in a sultry voice, raising her eyebrows. "It's so good to see you, too."
"Get the hell out. This is a private investigation."
Leolin gave a feline smile.
"You catch La Genie yet?"
"Almost," he snapped, trying and failing not to look down her shirt.
"Liar," she replied. "You're never going to catch him without my help."
"How would you know? Are you secretly working with him?"
She only laughed, which agitated him more.
"How many times are you going to try to go down that road, Teller?" she asked, smiling. "You know I'm not involved."
"What are you doing here, Thénard? You're no longer under contract with our office."
"More's the pity for you. And to answer your question, I'm here with a client."
Crofton sneered.
"Who?"
"That would be me," Draco said coolly, extending his hand and giving Crofton a haughty smile. "Draco Malfoy. Pleasure."
Crofton's eyes snapped to Leolin, who merely smiled.
"You know Draco's father Lucius, of course," Leolin said smugly. "The British Minister of Magic."
"And what? You're here representing the British Ministry?" Crofton demanded. "I wouldn't think the Minister would be bothered by a little stolen art."
"On the contrary," Leolin said. "I assure you Minister Malfoy has a vested interest in catching La Genie."
Crofton clenched his jaw. She knew he hated politicians, and men like Draco always brought out his own insecurities.
"He has no jurisdiction in this matter," Crofton said, eying Draco coolly. "You know that, Thénard."
"Sink me if you aren't right," Leolin purred, seemingly unperturbed. "Damn."
Leolin smiled again, looking at Draco conspiratorially. He played along by smirking back, and she could tell Crofton was growing agitated that he wasn't parlay to their silent conversation.
"Well if that's all," he said. "See yourself out."
"Oh," Leolin said in mock realization. "Did I forget to mention that Draco is also the stepson of Sebasten Athenos?"
Crofton clenched his jaw.
"What does that matter?"
"I believe the Athenos family are the largest donors to this museum. Merlin, it would be frightfully bad press for the IAO if they were to…inadvertently cause the financial ruin of a National Museum. Don't you think so, Mr. Malfoy?
Draco smirked down at Leolin before turning his diamond gaze on Crofton.
"Absolutely," he said with meaning, and Crofton grit his teeth, sneering at Leolin.
"You are such a vile little bitch, Thénard."
She put her hands on her hips.
"Teller, just because I make fifty times what you do in a year and it frustrates your little divorcée heart that I have a twenty four inch waist and a thirty two inch bust doesn't mean you have to be so rude."
"I don't give a damn about what you look like," he shot back.
"Tell that to my neckline. Now give me the case file and run along."
He flushed, embarrassed and annoyed.
"You get ten minutes," Crofton seethed.
Leolin smiled.
"I get as long as I like," she countered. "Give me the file."
"You can't just stay all day! This is an open investigation!"
"Tell that to Mr. Malfoy," she said, gesturing to Draco.
Crofton shook his head at last, knowing he was beat.
"If you touch a thing—"
"This isn't my first rodeo, Tex. I'm not going to mess up your precious investigation."
Much to his chagrin, Leolin had discovered Crofton's middle name was Texas, and she used it mercilessly.
"Don't call me that," he growled irritably, as he handed her the folio, and she smiled triumphantly.
"As you were then," she said, accepting the file and smirking at him.
"Shall we?" she said to Draco, and when she turned to look at him again there was such warmth in his eyes that she felt her façade momentarily slipping.
He hadn't looked at her like that since the rehearsal dinner. It was the look he always gave her that silently meant 'You're brilliant and I love you'.
However, she realized after a second that the look was for Teller's benefit, not hers, and she snapped out of her reverie.
"Lovely doing business with you, Crofton," Leolin said flippantly, not deigning to look at him. "You'll get the file back when I'm done."
With that Leolin started up the stairs towards the main gallery, already looking at the folio as she spindly stilettos clicked against the marble.
"That was inspired," Draco admitted as they walked.
She could feel him looking at her, but she was too afraid to look back.
"You think so?" she asked.
"Pure Slytherin brilliance," Draco agreed. "I'd almost forgotten just how it's done."
"I learned from the best," Leolin said, and Draco smiled. "I was once Slytherin royalty, after all, and I do happen to be the godmother to Severina Borgia's children."
"I can't believe you consulted for the Aurors," he said, clearly impressed.
"I know he looks thick," Leolin said in reference to Crofton. "But he has a sort of low cunning about him. I had to make sure he didn't know anything."
"And does he?"
"He's gotten closer than most," she admitted. "But he's still way off track."
They came into the first of the gallery spaces, and she shook her head in disgust. Dozen of priceless Greek statues had been senselessly pushed over, and they lay in shameful shards on the floor.
"Why would they do this?" Draco asked. "What purpose does this serve?"
Leolin sighed.
"None," she said. "It makes me sick. You can't repair works like these with magic."
"Did they steal any statuary?" Draco asked.
Leolin shook her head, indicating they go into the next gallery, which held smaller items.
All the coin displays had been smashed and they littered the floor. Leolin picked her way through the mess, indicating Draco follow.
"It's weird," Leolin said. "This room is all torn up and yet nothing is missing here, either."
"Do you think they were just trying to do more damage?" Draco suggested.
"Maybe," she said, chewing her lip. "I'm not sure."
The next room had been looted as well, and Leolin consulted the file before examining one of the busted cases.
"Here," she said. "Here's where they took stuff."
Draco looked around and the smattering of vases in the room.
"Vases?" Draco asked, confused. "What the hell are they going to do with those?"
"Look," Leolin said, drawing a sketch of a tall skinny vessel from the file. "This is a Loutrophoros. It's a ritualistic vessel used to carry water for washing corpses, among other things. See the mourners? And look at this Lekythos they took," she said, pulling another sketch of a smaller vessel. "These are used to pour oil on the dead to prepare them for the afterlife."
"How would that be useful to a necromancer?"
Leolin chewed her lip.
"There a legend—"
She trailed off, already knowing she sounded crazy.
"Go on," Draco urged.
"There's a legend that Herpo the Foul crafted a special vessel that could work in reverse. Instead of oil or water, you filled it with unicorn's blood, and that could bring the deceased back to life."
Draco ran a hand through his hair.
"Merlin," he growled. "That's not good."
"The vessel was supposedly lost a long time ago, if it ever even existed at all," Leolin explained. "Still, I can't believe I didn't think of it before."
"So this is what they're after? You're sure?"
"No," Leolin admitted. "I don't know for sure. But it could make sense. We'll know better when she see what they took from your stepfather's villa. But your mum did say there were some vases missing from the house in London, though."
"And the painting?" Draco said.
Leolin shrugged.
"I won't know for sure until I see what's in it," Leolin said, looking at the sketch for another stolen Loutrophoros. "But it could be that it can reveal the location of the actual object. It's even possible the object is actually hidden inside the painting itself. Or it could be useless. I just don't know yet."
Draco nodded, consulting his watch.
"Well, it's a start. Have we got everything we need from here?"
She nodded as well.
"Here," she said. "Hold this."
She handed him the folio before spreading the sketches of the fifteen or so stolen vases on the floor, quickly muttering a quick geminio and making a copy of each.
Draco watched her work, a bemused expression on his face
"Are you allowed to do that?"
She quickly assembled the copies then put then in her bag before raising her eyebrows at him.
"What, are you going to tell on me?"
"Just asking the question," he asked, offering the folio back to her.
"Don't worry about Teller; yanks are so easy to manipulate."
He raised his eyebrows, and she raised hers back.
"I have no reason to manipulate Gen, though I think we can both agree that it would be painfully easy for me to do so. Despite what she clearly believes, she's not as clever as I am."
"You think so?" he said coolly. "I'm inclined to disagree."
"I bet you are," Leolin said flippantly.
"In fact, I've seen her out maneuver you on more than occasion."
She grit her teeth in annoyance because that was true. However, not wanting to give him the upper hand, she laughed.
"I'm sure she'd like to think so," she said saucily. "But the truth is I have better things to do than tussle with her all the live long day."
"Please. Gen's a virtuoso manipulator and we both know it. She can take the clothes off a person's back and send them on their way thinking she did them a favour. Even yours, I'd say, though there is admittedly not much more to take off."
Leolin wrinkled her nose, trying to mask her hurt.
"Charming."
"Amusing, certainly," Draco said.
"Why do you love her?" Leolin blurted after a minute.
Draco shrugged, his eyes glittering.
"Maybe I like that she's a little conniving," Draco said in a sultry voice that made Leolin's knees a little weak.
Unwilling to betray her embarrassment, she turned her back and started out of the gallery. However, he was on her in a second, whispering in her ear.
"Maybe it gets me hard."
"Gross," she seethed, pushing him off of her even as her pulsed pounded.
"After all," he said authoritatively. "She's going to be Slytherin royalty soon."
"By marriage," Leolin scoffed.
"What is it about her that you hate so much?" Draco said in a bored voice, as if her reply was only mildly interesting to him.
Leolin turned to frowned at him.
"She's awful to me, for one," Leolin bit out, trying to decide where Draco was going with this.
Was he trying to get her to admit she still loved him, or was he just torturing her again?
"What else?"
"Not that I need anything else besides that," Leolin pointed out. "But I do think she's manipulative."
"Well we've just established that so are you. Is that all?"
"No," she admitted, stopping for a second to look at him.
She sighed, biting her lip. She didn't want to spar anything more. It was wearing away at her.
"What is it, then?"
"I hate that she's trying to replace me. It just feels like—Merlin, I don't know! Like she's trying to fill every hole I left. Not just in your life but…in mine. She wants to be Amelie's muse and Ginny's best friend and Slytherin's princess. It's like—she's trying to erase me."
"Wouldn't you, if you were in her place?" Draco said solemnly.
"She has you," Leolin said candidly. "That should be enough."
Draco's eyes burned into her and she looked away, holding the folio up to an annoyed Crofton Teller.
"Here you are, Tex," she said in her false accent.
"Have any revelations while you were in there?" he said, snatching the file from her.
"They're targeting funerary vases," she said, putting on her sunglasses. "Mostly Lekythi and Loutrophori."
"How profound," he snapped.
"See you soon," she responded flippantly, not deigning to look at him. "Ciao!"
With the she strutted out of the museum, Draco on her heels. When they were away from the eyes of the auror, Draco slung his arm around her waist again and pulled her casually towards him.
"Why can't we travel by floo like normal people?" she said sullenly, struggling a little against him.
"Because my stepfather was just abducted, and I want all of the floos closed until I know how the intruder got in."
"Tell just tell me where we're going and I'll follow," Leolin said.
"No," he said sternly. "The less people who can get in, the better."
Leolin continued struggling, inadvertently brushing against Draco in a way that made him inhale sharply.
"Maleficent, Lefevre," he breathed. "Easy on the goods."
"Then just let go!"
"Merlin," he groaned, half-laughing as he tried to keep her steady. "Are you trying to make me uncomfortable?"
"Of course not. I just don't want to side-along again."
"Leolin," he said in her ear. "Please stop moving."
"Or what?" she demanded, not heeding his request.
He gave a soft laugh.
"Or I'm going to rip that tight little skirt off of you and make you finish what you're starting," he said huskily, sending a pleasurable shudder down her spine.
If she were more cunning she would have kept moving to see if he meant it. But an odd trepidation paralyzed her, and she stopped at once.
"Thank you," he said, and in a second they were spinning away. She curled against him as he held her tightly, and that's how they arrived at the flat in Athens.
"Draco?" Narcissa said, happening upon their embrace in the spacious entryway.
"Mum!" he cried in surprise, detangling himself from Leolin at once.
Narcissa gave him a withering look that suggested that she didn't believe whatever fumbled excuse he was about to give, but he gave one anyway.
"I—" he began, looking at a blushing Leolin. "We—Leolin get sick during side-along apparations. I was just—trying to help."
Narcissa pursed her lips.
"How gentlemanly of you," Narcissa said dryly.
"There's nothing going on," Draco said too quickly, and Narcissa nodded.
"I believe you," she said, though he tone suggested somewhat the opposite.
She turned towards the grand staircase that transected the foyer and he followed, ushering Leolin up as well.
"How was the museum? Narcissa asked.
She was wearing a mint chiffon maxi dress and sandals, and she looked like a Greek goddess herself.
"Very illuminating," Leolin said. "I think I know what they're targeting."
"Good," Narcissa said, ushering them into what seemed like a meeting room on the second floor.
Aleco and Myles were already there, looking troubled. Next to Aleco was his wife Petra: a tall, sturdily built woman with a strong nose, a wide smile, and sparkling dark eyes. She smiled kindly at Draco as he approached, then Leolin in kind. Myles's wife Marina was next to Petra, and compared with her sister-in-law, Marina looked like a woodland sprite. She had large hooded eyes and full bow lips and an absurd amount of dark hair, and even bouncing on slightly on her heels, she looked barely five foot.
At the very end of the table sat a heavyset man in his late fifties who was introduced as Sebasten's best friend and business partner Elias.
"Do either of you want a drink before we go to the Villa?" Narcissa asked Draco and Leolin, sinking down in the captain's chair at the head of the table and gesturing to a stooped servant Leolin recognized from the Malfoy Manor.
"I told you to release all the servants and change the wards," Draco said in veiled irritation.
"Javier has been with me since I was a child," Narcissa said evenly. "He's family to me."
"Fine," Draco said. "But everyone else is gone?"
"Yes," Narcissa said sullenly. "Though I don't know how long you expect me to live this way."
"Not long," Draco affirmed, nodding at Javier to make him a vodka martini.
Before she could ask for one, Javier brought Leolin a gin one, and when she looked questioningly up at him, he giving her a look to indicate he hadn't forgotten her. He was the ultimate servant, always listening and observing. Perhaps that Leolin didn't like about him as a person; he never seemed very easy to trust.
"Does that mean you have a plan to get your stepfather back?" Narcissa asked, sounding almost hopeful.
Draco and Myles exchanged a look.
"It means we're sending you and Dimitri to Luxembourg until this is all resolved."
"You must certainly are not," Narcissa said haughtily. "I'm staying here."
"And I have University in London," Dimitri protested.
"It's for the best," Aleco interceded. "I don't want either of you in harm's way."
"This isn't fair!" Dimitri protested. "I hate Luxembourg."
"You've never been there, D," Myles said. "And we all agreed, so stop complaining."
"You two are the most lucrative targets for the kidnappers hit next, and it will only make this worse for Sebasten if either of you is taken," Elias pointed out gently. "Listen to your boy, Narcissa. He's looking out for you."
Narcissa pursed her lips.
"Fine," Narcissa agreed begrudgingly. "But you three aren't allowed to keep things from me. I want to remain in the loop."
"They won't," Petra, Aleco's wife, said. "I promise."
Narcissa nodded.
"Thank you."
"Now, what did you learn at the museum?" Myles asked.
Draco looked at Leolin.
"Lefevre?"
"They are targeting these two types of vessels," Leolin said, pulling the drawings she'd made at the museum out and spreading them across the table. "Loutrophori and Lekythi."
"Why these?" Aleco asked.
Leolin looked at Draco who gave her a look indicating she keep the Necromancer to herself.
"I don't know," she admitted.
"Are they valuable?" Myles asked.
"Can be," Leolin said, shrugging. "These ones obviously were."
"Sebasten definitely had vases that shape in the office," Narcissa said. "The thieves must have taken them."
Draco and Leolin exchanged another look.
"I will know better when I see the manifests," Leolin said. "Did you find them?"
"Here," Narcissa said, handing her three thick folios. "I've already marked what's been accounted for from the office. Still, it's a lot to get through."
"I work quickly," Leolin assured her. "Once I get through these I will have a better idea of what the pattern is."
"Good," Aleco nodded, taking a large bronze shield off the wall. "Then are we ready to go to the villa?" He asked
Leolin gave Draco a quizzical look.
"He works for the Wizarding Transportation Office," his wife Petra explained.
"I'm going to make us a portkey," Aleco explained.
"Good," Narcissa said, setting down her empty glass and slipping into sandals. "Because apparently apparating makes poor Leolin sick."
She gave her son a pointed look, and he clenched his jaw and turned away.
"Are we ready, then?" Aleco asked.
Draco nodded solemnly.
"Let's go."
The villa had been more beautiful than Leolin could possibly have imagined, and it overlooked the azure waters of the Aegean sea, which glittered dimly in the late afternoon sun. They gave Leolin a small tour before showing her the rooms that had been burglared. They all spent the next hour or so identifying missing items, and there was indeed a great number of loutrophori and lekythi missing, along with a number of amphorae.
The sun was setting by the time they arrived, but it was summer, and the air was warm and inviting.
"Should we have something to eat?" Elias asked. "And some wine, perhaps?"
"How?" Narcissa sniffed. "Draco's dismissed the help."
Draco rolled his eyes.
"Marina and I will make something," Petra, Aleco's wife, offered. "Open a bottle of red and let it breathe. We'll be done by the time it's ready."
"Take Lefevre with you," Draco said, eying Leolin with an unreadable expression. "She's a good cook."
Marina, who was the younger of the two and about Draco's age, slapped him soundly on the back of the head.
"She's not your servant, Drake," she scolded.
"If she was, she'd be a poor one," Draco said dryly. "She rarely does as she's told."
This earned him another sound slap.
"Merlin! Stop hitting me!" Draco laughed, standing and squaring off with Marina.
"Stop hitting me!" Marina mimicked, tossing her head of dark curls back and forth in mockery.
"I'm going to throw you in the pool," Draco warned. "Don't fucking think I won't."
"Draco, language, please," Narcissa admonished.
He and Marina ignored her.
"Pfft," Marina scoffed. "I'm not afraid of y—"
Draco snatched Marina by the waist and tossed her in with a solid heave. She emerged sputtering and heaving a minute later, and Draco and the boys were laughing.
"Honestly, Draco," Narcissa said through pursed lips. "Was that really necessary?"
Draco shrugged arrogantly, smirking as he slid back into his seat. Marina flicked pool water in his face as she passed by.
"You don't get any dinner," she said.
"Do you want to come help, Leolin?" Petra said hopefully. "You don't have to, if you don't want."
"No I will," Leolin said, eager to be helpful.
"Excellent," Marina said, smiling. "You can tell us all of Draco's most humiliating secrets."
Draco made a face at her and she stick out her tongue and crossed her eyes in response.
Marina and Petra lead the way to the kitchen, and when they got there Marina dried herself off using her wand and hopped up on one of the marble islands to sit while Petra began assembling ingredients.
"We can't tell you how excited you're here," Marina said, and she and Petra shared a conspiratorial look. "We've been dying to meet you."
Leolin must have looked skeptical, because Petra gave her a warm smile.
"No," she said. "Nothing sinister. You're just such a mystery!"
"Up until last night, the only thing we knew about you was your name," Petra explained. "Then Aleco and Dimitri came home and said you were gorgeous—"
"Which you are," Marina interrupted. "I love that skirt. I wish I had the body to pull that off!"
"Thank you," Leolin said, laughing self-consciously. "Draco was less than impressed."
"Somehow I find that hard to believe," Petra said, smiling.
"Anyways, Leolin," Marina continued. "Tell us everything. Where are you from?"
"Wales."
"Ooh," Marina said as Petra washed fresh spinach. "I love Wales!"
"And my dad's French," Leolin explained.
"So you speak French?" Petra asked. "That must have made Narcissa happy."
"Not particularly," Leolin said, trying to remember if they ever even discussed it.
"Really?" Petra pressed. "Herpo's beard, she constantly harping on about Gen not speaking French."
"It gets really old," Marina agreed, still eying Leolin appreciatively. "I'm sorry to stare, you just look nothing like I imagined!"
"What did you imagine?" Leolin asked.
"I don't know exactly," Marina explained, popping an olive into her mouth. "I guess someone more like Gen."
"Someone more modest, you mean," Leolin laughed.
They laughed as well.
"I was going to say clean-cut," Marina amended, smiling at Leolin. "But you and she are like night and day."
"In more ways than one," Leolin admitted, and Marina nodded knowingly.
"I know she can be a lot. She's the type that doesn't play well with other women."
"Not that we don't like her," Petra said hastily. "We do. She's just not the easiest person to get to know."
"She's so hard to read, because she's pleasant even when she's being nasty," Marina offered. "It must be an American thing. Honestly, I don't know how Draco can stand it."
"Marina!" Petra scolded. "Stop, she's family."
"I'm not insulting her, but she must be impossible to fight with. She'd say one thing and tie you up in knots."
"Well Draco's not exactly easy to argue with, either," Leolin offered honestly. "Once he decides something, it's all but settled in his mind."
"What was it like being engaged to him?" Marina asked. "I can only imagine."
Leolin smiled, remembering.
"It definitely had it moments."
"He needs someone like you," Marina said. "Someone to tell him no. He didn't hear that word enough growing up."
"We're trying to civilize him," Petra said, smiling. "It's slow going. Besides, we have our own boys to worry about."
"Do me a favour and don't marry a Greek man, Leolin," Marina said. "They are so stubborn!"
"I'll do my best," Leolin said, biting her lip.
"Don't make those sorts of promises," Petra said. "Or you'll walk out of here and right into the arms of the next Greek man you see. That's how it goes; love just does the exact opposite of whatever you had planned for yourself."
"That's true," Leolin admitted. "It's rarely easy."
"I was dating Myles's roommate when I met him," Marina said. "But it only took me about fifteen seconds to realize I'd picked the wrong one."
"It was a disaster," Petra agreed, smiling. "The roommate threw all of Myles's things into the street."
"Do you have a boyfriend, Leolin?" Marina asked.
"Me?" Leolin asked, unprepared for the question. She forgot that in everyone's minds except her own, Draco was part of her past. "Oh no, I'm not really interested. I just moved back to London, and there's a lot going on."
"Moved from where?" Petra asked.
"Florence," Leolin said. "And Rome. I split my time."
"Ooh," Marina said. "You should marry an Italian. They make the best lovers!"
"Marina!" Petra said, blushing a little. "Merlin!"
"We can't all be virgins on our wedding night, Petra," Marina said in a sing-song voice.
"Stop," Petra said, throwing a grape tomato at Marina. "How does Myles put up with you?"
"I really good at suc—"
She was blissfully interrupted by Draco, who appeared in the doorway.
"I come in peace," he said, his eyes naturally finding Leolin and resting there. "But Aleco and Myles would like to inquire about the status of dinner."
"It's ready," Petra said, handing him a large dish of pasta. "Here, take this. We'll bring the rest."
When he'd gone, Marina bit her lip.
"What was that?"
"What was what?" Leolin asked, confused.
"He couldn't stop staring at you," Petra agreed.
"It's just the outfit," Leolin said.
"I don't think so," Marina said. "Is there something going on between you two?"
"What?" Leolin said, trying to sound casual. "Of course not! Draco can barely stand me most days."
"I wouldn't be so sure. If he hates you so much, why did he bring you here?"
"He needed me t—" Leolin broke off as Petra nodded knowingly.
"Exactly," Petra said in a sage voice. "He needed you. And he chose not to bring Genevieve," she continued.
"That was for Narcissa's sake, not mine," Leolin said, though Petra's observations kindled something akin to hope in her chest.
"I bet," she said, raising her eyebrows. "After all, why should Draco be tempted by you? You're only his first love."
Leolin opened her mouth to say something than snapped into shut. Petra gave her a conspiratorial eyebrow raise.
"Just some food for thought. Now, shall we eat?"
The meal had been delicious, and after it was over they drank, talked, and—despite the terrible circumstances that had brought them together—celebrated one another's company.
They more she got to know them, the more Leolin loved Marina and Petra, who were both so delightfully smart and sharp-tongued, just like she was. She felt immediately at home with them, and they make it clear they felt the same.
Elias told stories of he and Sebasten's childhood in Volo, and about both Aleco and Myles's mother Chara—who had died too young—and Dimitri's mother Ioanna, who was alive and well in Preveza, and whom Dimitri claimed was the most lovably crazy woman on Earth.
Narcissa told the story of how Sebasten pursued her after her divorce from Lucius, and how he had to propose sixteen times before she would say yes. Even though Leolin had never met Sebasten, she could tell from being surrounded by his family that he was a great man, and her heart ached that he had been swept up in this nightmare.
Of course, the most exhilarating part of the evening was Draco, and Leolin was drunk on his attention and his affection. Seated next to him at the dinner table amongst so many other couples, she felt like his wife at last. It was a bittersweet glimpse at the life she was meant to have, and it was intoxicating. After dinner Draco had casually slung an arm over the back of her chair, and they traded affectionate glances as they listened to the others. It was as if no time had passed, as if they'd never been apart, and several times Leolin had to stop herself from leaning over to kiss him lightly the way she used to. There were also times were it seemed like he was contemplating holding her hand, but he never quite did, though her left hand and his right remained dangerously close to touching all evening.
Leolin could feel Narcissa's keen gaze on them throughout the meal, though she wasn't sure if it was approving or reproachful. Still, every time Draco looked at her, eyes glittering, she thought about what Petra had said. Could it be that some part of Draco had brought Leolin because she was the one he wanted by his side when things went wrong? She wanted so badly for that to be the case.
Currently, Leolin was just finishing putting away the dishes. She looked out the kitchen window onto the sprawling veranda. Draco was standing looking out towards the water, Narcissa at his side. Putting away the last dish, Leolin went down to fetch Draco and go back to London.
Neither he nor Narcissa heard her slip through the fluttering drapes onto the patio, and though she hadn't intended to spy, their conversation piqued her curiousity, and she stayed were she was.
"It was good to see Leolin," Narcissa was saying. "I must say, she's as radiant as ever."
Draco was silent a moment before answering.
"Yeah, I suppose she is."
"What did Genevieve think of you bringing her here?"
He sighed.
"She was—displeased. She thinks I only did it so I could be alone with Leolin."
"And did you?" Narcissa said bluntly.
He turned to scowl at her.
"How can you ask me that?" he asked. "You know how I feel about Gen."
"Yes, I do, but I'm not blind either. I saw the way you were looking at Leolin tonight."
"What are you talking about? No, I wasn't."
"You don't have to lie to me, darling."
"I wasn't looking at her any way."
"Let me rephrase, then: how do you think Genevieve would have felt about tonight?"
"What, now your Gen's advocate? I thought you said you don't think she's right for me."
"And so I don't," Narcissa admitted. "But you are engaged to be married, Draco. That comes with responsibilities."
"I brought Leolin here to help," Draco said. "She's brilliant at what she does."
"I agree, and I've very grateful for her help, but that doesn't change the facts."
"And what are the facts, as you see them?"
"That you're still desperately in love with her."
"You're wrong," Draco snapped. "I'm not."
"Darling—"
"She betrayed me," Draco continued. "I haven't forgotten that. Besides, I love Gen. I chose Gen. Leolin won't change that."
"Then let Leolin go, for both your sakes."
"I have!"
"No, you haven't. But you have to, if for no one else but yourself."
Leolin's heart felt full of lead, and she didn't know whose words had been more painful: Draco's or Narcissa's. She wanted to scream and tear her hair out. She hadn't committed any wrongdoing against Draco; why did she always have to pay the price?
She slipped back inside silently, pretending to busy herself with her floo when Draco emerged.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked, his eyes less luminous than before.
Leolin bowed her head. She knew that the fantasy had been shattered.
"Yes, whenever you are."
He nodded, grabbing the same shield that Aleco had left them.
"Let's go, then."
They arrived back at the flat a hour or so later, and Leolin kicked off her heels, not knowing what to say to Draco. She had no idea where his head was, and she was afraid that if she tried to reach out to him tonight, he would only push her away. On the other hand, after the time they'd had in each other's company, the last thing she wanted was to say goodnight.
"Do you want a drink?" he said, pouring himself a vodka and putting it down cleanly in one go.
She turned back, studied him. It was the first thing he'd said to her since they'd left the villa.
"You know the answer to that question is always going to be yes," she said almost sheepishly, and he gave a small laugh as she padded back into the open kitchen.
"Here," he said, offering her a drink before hopping up to sit on the counter.
They sat in silence for a few moments, both sipping their drinks and trying to decide what to say.
"Thank you," he said finally, setting down his glass and looking at her keenly. "For today. Your help's been…invaluable."
She blushed, hoping he wouldn't notice.
"Of course," she said. "I'm happy I could be useful."
He laughed softly in spite of himself.
"You were more than useful," he said. "You were brilliant, Leolin."
She could feel the steady buzz she'd gotten at the villa coming back. Or was that just from the way Draco was looking at her?
"Or maybe I ought to call you Naomi."
His voice was an odd mixture of playful and resentful. However, he gave her a warm look, and Leolin smiled.
"I know," Leolin said sheepishly, looking down into her lap and tucking some dark hair behind her ear as she smiled almost shyly. "She's kind of a bitch."
"I actually sort of like her," Draco admitted, taking another sip of his drink and admiring her. "She's—resourceful."
"That's one word for it," Leolin said, suddenly bashful.
"Was she your invention, or Severina's?"
"A mix," Leolin admitted. "The name Naomi was my choice, but Severina liked Thénard. She said it sounded snobby. Obviously it made sense for her to be French, given my background and…I don't know. The rest just spiraled from there."
Draco nodded his understanding, eying her hair again.
"The cut was Rina's idea," she said, still self conscious about it. "She said that Naomi was more stylish and sophisticated than Leolin."
"Am I allowed to be offended?" Draco said, half-smiling. "Leolin was my fiancée, after all. I thought she was very stylish."
"She was," Leolin said. It was so strange to talk about herself in the third person. "But by the time I met Severina I wasn't Leolin anymore."
He looked at her seriously.
"What happened to you?" he demanded softly. "Was it that bloke you ran off with in Geneva?"
She bit her lip.
"Please don't ask me that," she said softly, watching him take another swig of his drink. "I can't tell you yet."
"Because you're not ready?"
"Because I just—can't. I promise that I will tell you everything soon."
He nodded tightly, not nearly as annoyed as she imagined he'd be.
"Fine," he said. "I won't push."
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Do you want another drink?"
She gave him a knowing look and he laughed again softly.
"Why do I even bother asking?" he said, topping her up.
"It's like you don't know me at all," she said, smiling at him.
However, at this his smile faltered.
"I suppose at this point I don't, really," he admitted, sounding distantly pained by that fact. "Five years is a long time."
"I'm still me," Leolin said softly. "I'm still Leolin."
"Tell that to Naomi," Draco said seriously.
"Creating a persona was necessary for what I was doing," Leolin said. "But I never lost sight of who I was. Someday when this is all over, I am going to hunt down and return every piece La Genie stole and give them back."
He gave her a quizzical look.
"You know that none of this makes any sense, don't you?" he said.
She nodded.
"I know. Someday it will, though."
Draco was scrutinizing her, his eyes flicking from hers to her mouth.
"When?" he asked earnestly. "Because all of the guesswork is driving me mad."
"Soon, I hope," she said, pushing some hair behind her ear.
She had to get away from Draco before she admitted something regrettable and ended up in Azkaban.
"I should go to bed," she said softly. "It's been a long day."
He nodded.
"Me too."
She waited as he put away the glasses before they ascended the stairs wordlessly. When they reached her door she stood, turning to face him and leaning on the door frame.
"Goodnight," she said, wishing she could invent a reason for him to stay.
"Goodnight," he repeated, his eyes hooded as he peered down at her. "Thank you again for today."
"Of course," Leolin said. "Anything I can do to help."
He was still looking down at her, and he nodded, though his eyes never left her face.
"I don't know where we'd be without you," he murmured.
"You'd manage," Leolin said, feeling almost breathless at this point.
"Maybe," he said, inadvertently licking his lips. "I'm just glad we don't have to find out."
"You don't," she affirmed. "I will stay as long as you need."
"Thank you," he repeated. "You're a loyal friend, Lefevre. We need more friends like you."
"You know I would do anything to help," she said.
"Yes," he admitted. "I do. We're in your debt."
"Let's just stop your father," she breathed. "That will be repayment enough."
"We will," he said, eyes glittering. "I promise. Goodnight."
"Yeah," she breathed, dazed as he looked down at her lips again. "Goodnight."
He bent to kiss her cheek, but she instinctually turned her head at the last minute. However, he didn't pull away as she half-expected him to. He instead placed a finger under her chin, tilting her head up. Leolin's eyes slipped closed as her heart thundered so loudly she was sure he would be able to hear it Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, his soft lips fell on hers.
A/N: *Cue Mania.