I Know You Know Who I Am

by TheSecretAdmirer

2nd of Eden Trilogy/Sequel to Enemy of My Enemy. 5 years later, Leolin returns to find everything has changed and Draco is engaged to another woman. She struggles to win back his love & trust while facing the demons of her past. As darkness begins to fall, she realises she might have to choose between the man she loves and rescuing the world from a familiar evil...COMPLETE! RE-READ

14. Chapter 13: The Big UnEasy

a/n: "Spread the word around, guess who's back in town…!" *jams to bitchin' guitar solo. I can't tell y'all how amped I am to be back from hiatus! I'm also happy to report that my Masters' Thesis has been accepted, and I start writing in the fall! If you couldn't tell, I'm getting a Masters in Art History, and my thesis is actually about the Borgia, hahaha. I really hope y'all enjoy this chapter, I eagerly await your feedback! Also, just in case y'all don't know, people refer to New Orleans as "The Big Easy". Also, I haven't really edited this yet, please forgive. I decided to give it to y'all first and let you enjoy it and I will edit it tomorrow! Also it's sweet that you think I should have more reviews, I'm honestly just so pleased with the loyalty I have. Obviously, I'm self-centered and think I'm one of the best HPFF writers, but the evidence doesn't agree. Again, though, I just love y'alll so much I don't care! Having said that, please review! The more detailed, the better! :D

Chapter Thirteen: The Big [Un]Easy

Draco took off his sunglasses and looked around, frowning as he did so. It was nearly dusk and yet it was still blazing hot out, and the breeze that whispered through the narrows streets was uncomfortably warm and offered no reprieve. New Orleans was nothing like he'd imagined. Or rather, it was definitely underwhelming. He'd pictured a city teeming with delicious debauchery, but all he'd received was sweltering heat and an uneasy feeling. This was ironic, he realized, given the city's nickname, but there was something intangible choking the streets of the French Quarter that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

"Well this is rubbish so far," Blaise said beside him. "I always knew I'd hate America."

"I agree," Draco said, still frowning. "It's so—"

He trailed off, unable to put words to his distain. Blaise nodded in understanding, though.

"—American," Blaise finished, and Draco smirked.

"Merlin save the queen," Draco replied, checking his watch.

He wished he hadn't worn a suit coat. He was uncomfortably warm.

"Where's Brankovitch?" Blaise asked, looking at his leather-banded watch as well. He said the diamond-faced one Draco wore was too feminine for his taste. "He was meant to be here five minutes ago.

"You know the Yanks," Draco said. "They can't do anything right."

Blaise laughed.

"Doesn't mean I wouldn't fuck one, though, if the opportunity arose," Draco replied.

Blaise raised his eyebrows.

"Seen any good ones so far?"

Draco laughed.

"Nope. Have you?"

"I'm finally dating the girl I've been in love with since I was fifteen. I didn't even know there were other women here."

Draco gave a rare smile.

"It's going well then, I take it."

"Mark my words," Blaise said. "I am going to marry her."

"Good," Draco said. "Because she's not an annoying slag and she's frankly too awesome to be a Weasley for much longer."

"I'm meeting her parents when I get back," Blaise said. "I'm bloody terrified. Remember that howler her mum sent second year?"

"Would that I could forget," Draco murmured. "The only downside of marrying Ginny is that you'll be brothers-in-law with Ronald."

"Ginny's already advised me not to eat or drink anything," Blaise said. "She said the twin ones like to put that puking potion in her boyfriends' food."

"How are you supposed to go over there and not eat?" Draco asked snidely. "Her mum is going to be stuffing food down your throat."

"What?" Blaise demanded. "You've met her?"

"Like six months ago," Draco said. "Molly and I are proper mates. She's dead cool, for a mum. Way more fun to be around than Narcissa, especially since the divorce."

"How did you possibly manage to step foot in that house?"

"I made sure Weaselby the elder was out," Draco explained.

"Still," Blaise said.

"Don't be so stressed, mate. I've paved the way for you."

"You had it easy," Blaise huffed. "You didn't have to deal with the six brothers."

"It's only going to be five," Draco pointed out. "They don't really see the tight-arsed one."

"Oh, great. So it's just the ones that want to make me vomit at dinner, the one I hate, the dragon tamer, and the curse-breaker. Yeah, you're a real trail blazer."

Draco looked at his sparkling watch again.

"It's been bloody fifteen minutes. Where is this sod?"

"Search me," Blaise said. "Why are we even down here in the first place? You never really said."

"Brankovitch called me six weeks ago and said he had a beat on what was going on with my father. I originally told him to fuck off, but it turns out his intel is solid. I think we could use him."

"What do you need his intel for?" Blaise said. "Lucius is your dad. Surely you have an inkling as to what he's about."

"An inkling's all I have. I was locked into things when he was funneling all his dealings through the company, but I don't have any real contacts in the Ministry. He cleaned house after he got elected, and there's no one left there I can trust."

"What about James Burgis? The head of the Auror department. Word on the street is that he and Lucius have been butting heads. Maybe he knows something."

Draco nodded.

"I thought of that, too."

"And?" Blaise prompted. "Have you talked to Burgis?"

Draco nodded again.

"It turns out his feud with my father isn't about politics. It's personal."

"What does that mean?" Blaise asked, shrugging out of his jacket and rolling up his sleeves.

"Burgis proposed to Ariadne. They're getting married in the spring."

"What?" Blaise said. "No way!"

Draco smiled.

"I know. I guess they've been carrying on for months. Ariadne said she didn't want James to lose his job for her, but I bet he'll quit before my father can find a way to fire him."

"That's not good for us," Blaise pointed out. "I don't like the idea of Lucius getting his hands on the Auror department."

"You're telling me," Draco replied. "Anyways, long story short is that Brankovitch has a whole ring of blokes on the inside, and that's intel we sorely need."

"What's Brankovitch's stake in all this? What does he care?"

"Ask him yourself," Draco said, eyes glittering as they watched the brawny seeker loping towards them.

"Malfoy," Max said, extending a hand when he was close enough. "Welcome to New Orleans.

Draco accepted the grip and gave Max a cool smile in return. At 6'4, Draco wasn't accostumed to people being able to look him right in the eye. However, Max was just as tall as Draco, though he was markedly more bulky. Not fat, certainly, but exceedingly muscular.

"Thank you for inviting me. Brankovitch, this is my firend Blaise Zabini. Blaise, this is Max Brankovitch."

"Pleasure," Blaise said in a bored voice.

He hated strangers.

"Good to meet you," Max said, jovial and unfazed by Blaise's sullenness. "Should we go?"

"Where is it that we're meant to be going?" Blaise asked as they started down the cobblestone boulevard.

"To a party my friend is throwing," Max explained. "Large parties are the best places to talk; they're so intimate."

Draco and Blaise exchanged a glance. The man had a point.

"Besides," Max continued. "I like to be careful. I want to make sure we're somewhere that we won't be disturbed.

"So we're going to a rager?" Blaise asked, his distain growing.

"Exactly," Max said, clapping Blaise and the back and making him scowl. "Let's go."

He cuffed each of their shoulders and they spun away, arriving a moment later in front of a stately mansion pushed 100 yards of the quiet drive upon which it sat.

Two banks of stooping oaks flanked the long stretch of gravel leading up to the stately mansion. Draco had been expected the kind of column-adorned houses he'd seen in pictures, and the white Neoclassical behemoth before him did not disappoint.

"What do you think?" Max asked just as a white peacock strutted across the walkway in front of them.

Draco frowned. Those had always been Lucius's favourites, too. He hated them.

"Charming," he drawled unenthusiastically.

He could already tell he was going to hate the twat who owned this place.

"C'mon," Max said when they're finally reached the front door. They could hear the bass booming inside. "Let's get you boys a drink. Seems like your sour friend here might need one."

Max pushed the door open, wading through the sea of ridiculously over-dressed women and pastel-clad men to a cocktail waiter.

"What do you want, fellas?" Max asked Draco and Blaise.

"Gin and tonic," Draco said.

"Vodka soda," Blaise replied.

"And a whiskey coke for me, Ricky," Max said, stuffing a shimmering American note for ten galleons in the man's hand. "We're heading to the veranda. You can bring us our drinks there."

The waiter nodded appreciatively, and Max jerked his head for Draco and Blaise to follow. Draco looked around as they passed through. The décor was very much French inspired, though the overall scheme felt forced, like it was trying too hard. Still, he supposed it had a certain charm to it, though he wasn't certain what that charm was.

They emerged out onto a sprawling pool deck in the back populated with just as many people, and Max greeted several of the more beautiful women before leading them upstairs to a balcony that overlooked the pool. There was a couple groping on one of the low couches. Blaise, who was sour at being dragged away from Ginny to attend a party, frowned in disgust, but Max only smiled.

"Hey Ash," Max said congenially, tapping the bloke's shoe with his foot. "Where's your girlfriend?"

The blonde man's head snapped up and he flushed, immediately ceasing his machinations with the redhead trapped beneath him.

"You have a girlfriend?" the girl demanded, pushing him off of her. "You told me you were single, you pig!"

"Wait, sugar—"

She stood, huffing angrily. She turned on Max.

"What are you looking at?" she demanded, and Max laughed and raised his arm as she stomped off.

"Brank," Ash said, half-laughing and half-embarrassed. He had a thick Southern drawl that Draco found infuriating. "Where have you been? Genevieve has been waiting for you all night."

"Has she? I just got here. Tell her I'll be down soon to say hi."

The man stood sheepishly.

"Please don't tell her about this," Ash said. "If she finds out I stepped out on Savannah, she'll drown me in the pool."

"You're a cad, Ashley Benton," Max laughed, and Ashley gave an easy smile.

"You're a good man, sir. Gentlemen," he said in salutation, acknowledging Draco and Blaise for the first time.

Finally he seemed to have composed himself enough to leave, and he did so without another word. Max watched him keenly, opting not to sit down until Ashley had disappeared.

"Who was that?" Draco asked suspiciously.

"He owns this place," Max said. "Don't worry, he doesn't know anything."

Ricky had appeared with the drinks, and they each accepted theirs and took a sip.

"Keep them coming, Rick," Max said, and the man nodded.

"So," Max said. "Have you thought about my offer?"

Draco considered, taking a sip of his drink instead of answering.

"You really think you're equipped to help me take down my father?"

"You need me, chief. I've been watching you spinning your rims since he's been elected. You haven't got any guys on the inside to help you out."

"And you do?" Blaise asked snidely.

"Yes," Max said, taking a sip of his drink.

"Who?" Draco asked.

Max shook his head.

"Don't worry about it."

Draco clenched his jaw

"I'm not agreeing to anything until I know your information is coming from a good source."

"Your dear old daddy would kill my guys if he knew who they were. I'm not going to put their necks out like that just for you to feel comfortable."

"I'm sorry," Draco said coldly. "Are you suggesting I'm a betrayal threat? Because you came to me, chief. You may be right that I need you, but you absolutely need me if you want this to work."

"Relax," Max said. "I didn't mean to offend you, alright? I just mean the less people who know, the better. My guys inside don't even know who all is involved. Only I know exactly who all the players are."

"None of this proves you're a worthy partner," Blaise said. "You're a yank, what is it that you think you know?"

Max looked latently annoyed. There was nothing he hated more than European snobbery, and Blaise was old-school Italian arrogance.

"What do you want? A sample?" Max said, fighting now to remain cordial. "I already proved my sources were good."

"Once could be luck," Draco pointed out.

Max bit his lip, clearly irritated.

"James Burgis quit three days ago," Max said.

Draco didn't blink.

"We already knew that," he fibbed.

Draco was an excellent poker player; he knew how to flush out a bluff.

"Then you know who'll replace him," Max said evenly, pulling a cigar from his pocket and lighting it. "Good for you, lobstercoat."

Draco and Blaise exchanged a look. Max smiled. For a grinning idiot, he was incredibly shrewd.

"See?" he said, puffing a few times and blowing the smoke skyward. "You need me."

"That doesn't prove you're trustworthy," Blaise said a little savagely. "Lucius could have sent you here to entrap Draco."

Max's genial expression melted into a sinister frown. He put down the Cuban and pulled out a photo from his coat pocket, handing it to Blaise. It was the picture of a beautiful young woman. She was laughing, her brown eyes sparkling.

"Do you recognize her?" Max said as Blaise handed the photo to Draco, who frowned.

"She's the mudblood girl that the deatheaters tortured at the World Cup," Draco said. "The year that Ireland beat Bulgaria."

Max's face hardened at Draco's vulgar utterance.

"She was my fianceé," Max explained. "And they defiled her and humiliated her just because of her blood status. She ended up jumping off the London Bridge because of it."

Blaise looked penitent and bowed his head. Draco clenched his jaw.

"I'm sorry," Draco said tightly, extending the photo. "It was hideous what they did."

"I don't have to explain myself to you," Max said fiercely. "And this is the only time I offer to help you Brits. It's now or never, Malfoy. What's it gonna be?"

Draco considered. "What are your terms?"

Max gave a grim smile, extending his hand.

"I only ask that when you catch your father in his sick little web, I be there when the dementors give him the kiss."

"I think that can be arranged," Draco said, shaking it.

Something odd passed between them. It was clear that neither was particularly fond of the either, but they forged a bond in that moment that wouldn't easily be broken.

"Maximilian!"

They all turned to see a newcomer on the deck, and Draco found himself looking at the most beautiful woman he'd seen in a long time. He usually didn't like blondes, but this one was fresh-faced and angelic. The floral cocktail dress she wore was modest, but it had been tailored to perfection, he could felt a familiar clench in his stomach as he looked at her. He imagined her creamy skin against his grey sheets as she writhed underneath him. He wanted her. No, he needed her. It had been almost three months since he'd slept with someone, and he'd starting dreaming about Leolin again, which meant he was overdue for a meaningless shag.

"Genny," Max said, standing and lifting her off her feet as he hugged her.

"Where have you been, sugar? I was starting to fret," she said, touching his arm. She had one of the loveliest speaking voices Draco had ever heard, even considering the annoying accent.

"Sorry," Max laughed. "I got a bit of a late start tonight."

"It's been so boring without you," she drawled.

It was here that she laid eyes on Draco, and she gave him a glowing look of unadulterated approval. However, there was something about the way her eyes moved across his face that made his blood pump a little faster.

"Max," she said, eyes never leaving Draco. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friends?"

"This is Blaise," Max said, and Blaise gave her a bored look and raised his glass.

"Charmed."

She barely looked at him before her penetrating brown eyes flitted back to Draco.

"And you are?"

"Draco," he said, giving her a sinfully handsome smile.

"Genevieve," she replied, slipping a delicate hand into his.

---

Leolin stayed staring at the painting long after Draco left, wracking her brain for what it might mean. Unlike Draco, she had excellent vision, and she scoured ever inch, searching desperately for a clue to the painting's significance. She half-expected a vase hidden somewhere in the shadows, but there was nothing. She bit her lip, wracking her brain for information about Sarpedon. She was no Hellenist, but to her estimation there was nothing that she could remember that could relate to reviving the dead. Sarpedon had been the archtypical tragic hero, sacrificing his life in the service of The Trojan war. Yes he had been taken away by Sleep and Death, but that was an acceptance of his fate, not a rebellion against it. What the fuck could it—

Leolin stopped, staring at the painting at her hot blood began to freeze in her veins. She couldn't totally make it out, but there were a pair of wild eyes peering out from the obsidian depth of the background. The bulged out of an indistinguishable head, and despite the almost complete blackness that cloaked the figure, the whites of the eyes stood out faintly. You had to know where to look, but there was absolutely a figure in the foreground.

Leolin bit her lip. She had a sneaking suspicion who the figure might be. Herpo the Foul had been alive in the twilight of the Greek empire, and there were stories about his interference in Muggle affairs. It was difficult to say what Muggle Greeks' relationship to magic was. Scholars remained unsure if they were aware of the Wizarding world, but Herpo meddled none the less. Some said he was a servant of Hades, Lord of the Underworld, and he sowed discord at Hades behest.

It had long been said that it was Herpo who had convinced Paris of Troy to abduct the beautiful Achaean Helen and start the Trojan war. However, it was just as likely the Herpo used the cruciatus and imperius curses to coerse Paris into ensighting such bloodshed. The Muggle thought Eris, the goddess of discord, had started the war out of spite, but the wizards knew better.

Perhaps this was the connection between Sarpedon and the vessel of immortality. After all, Sarpedon was a victim of the strife that Herpo had sown. He could be a story of evil's triumph over good.

She stood. She had to show this to Draco. She checked her watch. Damn, it was nearly four. It was unlikely he was up. She could show it to him in the morning, she supposed, but in truth those beady eyes had unnerved her. She would feel better knowing Draco had seen them too.

"Allons, Rodames," Leolin said, and the dog picked up his head, eager to follow her. She left the detached glass box dining room and traipsed up the stairs to the deck., Rodames on her heels. He eventually bounded ahead of her to go up the stairs, eager to be re-united with Draco. He immediately sat outside the door, stratching it with his paw.

"Shh," Leolin said, trying to coax the dog to her. "Draco is sleeping."

Reluctantly he followed her, settling in front of the adjoining door instead.

"I know," she said softly, taking off her sweater before bending to pet his head. "I'm sorry."

However, a minute later he sprang up at movement on the other side of the door. His nub of a powerful tail wagged furiously, and when the door didn't immediately swing open, he gave a sharp, staccato bark.

Draco emerged a second later, smiling as Rodames danced happily.

"Hey Mate," he said, petting him. "I'm right here; no need to shout."

Rodames, now contented, lay down again.

Draco straightened, taking in Leolin's attire but saying nothing.

"You're up late," he commented dryly, adjusting his thick-framed glasses. "Or early, I suppose. The sun will be up in an hour."

"I know," Leolin said. "But I found something."

Draco folded his arms across his naked chest.

"In the painting?" he said eagerly. "Show me."

Leolin nodded. She turned her back to him and strode over to the bed before sitting on it. It was admittedly huge, spanning the breadth of seven pillows, but Draco still looked wary.

"Come on," she said, annoyed when he didn't immediately follow. "I'm not going to molest you, I swear. In fact, I'm still fucking mad at you. You're a knob."

Draco laughed a little, biting his lip as he surveyed her. Her hair was mussed from running a distracted hand through it, and her lips were ruby from her nervous habit of biting them. She licked her bottom one as if to signal she was growing impatient, but she could hear Draco's soft exhale. She was having a serious effect on him.

"Put a shirt on," he commanded, eyes glittering.

"Not unless you plan to," she countered, making a show of adjusting her straps of her lacy bra. It made her succulent breasts bounce a little.

"Don't do that," he admonished.

"Do what?" she replied innocently, readjusting again.

"Stop it. It's distracting," he blurted, looking away. "Like a broomwreck. I don't want to look, but I can't help it."

"That's a you problem," Leolin countered saucily. "Either get over yourself and come here or get out. I'm exhausted."

"I bet," he said, sounding a shade bitter. "You had a big night last night."

She looked away. Max was the last thing she wanted to talk about right now. She met his gaze again.

"Put up or shut up, Malfoy," she said evenly, and finally he clenched his jaw, running both hands through his hair before acquiescing.

Seeing the Draco was going to sit on the large bed, Rodames immediately followed.

"You're spoiled," Draco admonished. Rodames only gave a contented sigh in response, resting his head on his paws and closing his eyes.

Draco glanced back at Leolin.

"Alright," he said expectantly. "Show me."

Leolin drew the small canister from thin air and pointing it at the blank wall. The images on the wall with such precision that it now looked like a fresco. Draco scooted over to touch the wall to see before looking back at Leolin. He didn't smile, but she could see admiration glinting in his eyes.

"That's quite the party trick," he said.

She shrugged.

"You're blind. If I don't do this you'll never be able to see what I want to show you."

Draco frowned. Leolin only shrugged again in response.

"Brankovitch really brought the firecracker out in you," he commented snidely, and she rolled her eyes.

"It really bothers you, doesn't it?" she asked.

"What?" he said defensively.

"The idea of me sleeping with someone else."

Draco sneered.

"What do I care? I've been between your thighs a million times. Did you let him fuck you in the arse like I used to?"

She slapped him across the face, but he barely even flinched, giving her a condescending smirk instead.

"That wasn't a no, Lefevre."

She tried to slap him again and he grabbed her wrist, the smirk fading. He used his grip to pull her closer. They were nose to nose, and she could smell his sharp mouthwash.

"I would advise against trying that again."

"You're such a filthy prick," Leolin sneered, wrenching her arm away. "And you should know you can't lie to me. I know you're only throwing shade because you are jealous."

"Why would I be?" he countered.

She leaned in a little again, meeting his hard gaze without fear.

"You tell me."

He smirked coldly "You've got it all wrong, Lefevre. Gen pleases me in ways you never could. My relationship with her is unbelievably satisfying."

She looked away, feeling stung. He always did know just where to cut her.

"Are we ever going to get to this painting?" he said, sounding a little smug. He knew he'd one that round. She sort of wanted to punch him in the jaw. She bit her lip instead.

She said nothing, just pointed to the dark chasm between the figures of Sleep and Death.

"See that?"

Draco leaned forward to get a better look then recoiled.

"Merlin, are those…eyes?"

"Yes," she said simply.

"Who is that?"

"I think its Herpo," she said.

"That's fucking creepy," he said.

"I know," she said. "But it could be the key to figuring out why Lucius wanted this piece in the first place. If he's looking for Herpo's vessel, this could explain why he stole this painting."

"Why?" Draco asked. "Is he going to drag Herpo out and torture him, too?"

She gave him a stern look to show she didn't think his joke was funny.

"I can't know without seeing the canvas, " she said. "But it could be that the actual lekythus is hidden inside the painting and can be retrieved."

"That's even creepier," Draco said.

"This is the most insidiously dark object ever created. Getting your hands on it isn't going to be easy."

"Are we going to vie for it?" he said, more to himself than to her.

"I think we have to," Leolin said, glancing at him.

Despite everything, she caught his eyes straying again. She wasn't over the comment he'd made earlier, and it irritated her that he was being such a cad.

"Stop it," she admonished sharply. "I'm not yours to ogle anymore."

Draco had the decency to look away, evidentially a little embarrassed.

"Don't dress like that if you don't want the attention."

"Don't tell me what to do," she snapped back. "And I didn't 'dress' this way. You barged in on me while I was changing."

He looked again just to be spiteful.

"Then why haven't you put a shirt on yet?"

"Because I'm not going to change my behaviour for you. If you feel threatened by the way I dress, that's on you, not me."

Leolin almost couldn't believe how combative she was being, but the way Draco was acting was making her skin crawl. Just because she loved him didn't mean she couldn't hate him from time to time.

"Is that all, then?" he said.

"Yes," she said coolly. "Get out."

He slid off the bed, and just when she began to wish he would come back, he turned and to say something hateful.

"Sweet dreams, Lefevre. Or are going to sneak out for another rendezvous with Brankovitch?"

Leolin's felt like someone had just doused her heart in acid.

"Why do you have to be such a bully?" she said with vitriol.

"I'm not," Draco said. "I'm just calling it like I see it."

"Go away," she said doggedly. "Seriously. Before I punch you in the face."

He didn't move, simply crossed his arms across his chest.

"You're certainly changed your tune since that night in London."

Leolin bit her lip, her agitation growing. She could feel herself about to blurt something petulant. She knew she shouldn't say anything she didn't totally mean, but he'd fallen into his old role of instigating, and at that moment she felt more than happy to escalate.

"I don't know why I said that that night," she whispered, wanting to hurt him the way he'd hurt her. "I didn't mean it. In fact, I don't know why I ever loved you. I must have been out of my mind."

His eyes flashed. She knew she'd hit the mark. He clenched his jaw, and she could tell he was ready to bite back.

"Finally," he spit. "A sentiment we can both agree on."

"You know what?" she said, getting off the bed and stomping over to him. "You and Gen deserve each other. You're both bloody rotten."

"You're just mad because she's something to me you never were!"

That stung immensely. She drew the thin canister, the colour in her voice rising as she glared daggers at him.

"You really think so? Well, why don't you try this on for size: you couldn't do any of this without me, and yet you are so damn ungrateful! If really think Gen can do any bloody better with this Herpo rot, tell her to have at it."

She shoved the canister against his chest, and he grabbed her wrist as she did, keeping her hand where it was. She could feel his strong heartbeat reverberating through her palm.

"Let go," she whispered with venom.

"Don't even think about leaving," he whispered softly, and it was half a warning and half a plea. His eyes danced over the bridge of her nose across her creamy cheeks, drinking in her beauty.

"You don't tell me when to stay or go," she sneered. "I'm my own master now."

She struggled and he only tugged her closer, his breath falling on her lips even as her chest pressed to his. He brought a second hand to her hip to further entrap her. To someone who didn't know what was going on, it would have looked downright romantic.

"I'm not telling you," he grit out, careful to keep his lips from touching hers. "I'm asking you. Please, help me see this through."

Her eyes flicked up to his full lips. She knew it was crazy, but she wanted so badly to kiss him. It didn't matter; she knew he'd reject her advance if she did.

"I already said I would," she replied instead.

"That's all I ask," he said with meaning, finally relinquishing his grip.

"That's more than you deserve," she bit petulantly, mad that he hadn't apologized.

He gave her another blazing look before whistling once. Radames leapt off the bed and past Draco into the adjoining bedroom.

Draco followed and Leolin trailed naturally forward as well, making a pretense of closing the door.

She prepared to close it but he turned, occupying the doorway by pressing a hand to the frame on either side of him and leaning forward towards her. She'd just yelled at him from leering at her, but she simply could help admiring the lithe swell of his pectoral or the sleek abdominals of his taut stomach. She forced herself not to trace the curve of his obliques as they cut arcs into his trim hips, upon which his linen trousers hung low. He didn't fail to notice her gaze, though he said nothing, opting to smirk instead. She rolled her eyes, though she knew the gesture was completely unjustified on her part.

"Good night, Lefevre."

He looked up at her a last time, an expression in his eyes that she couldn't quite place. The diamonds in his irises glittered, though it was neither warm nor particularly predatory.

She put a hand to his warm chest and pushed so he would step back and she could swing the door closed. She didn't even particularly want to touch him right now, her need to kiss him having subsided, but she wanted him to remember what it felt to experience her touch. His body temperature had always run high and, it forced a small reaction when her cool fingers touched him.

He licked his lips before running a hand through his blonde hair. She could tell now that he was thinking about kissing her too, but she remembered what he said in London about her just being a warm cunt and she stepped back, out of his reach.

"Goodnight, Malfoy," she said coldly, wanting him to go away and stop confusing her.

He read her reaction at once and Leolin's heart leapt as he silently struggled to apologize. In the end he didn't though, and she rolled her eyes in irritation before turning her back to him.

"Get some sleep tonight," he said. "We have a big day tomorrow. "

Leolin didn't turn.

"Close the door behind you," she said, and wordlessly he didn't what she said and disappeared.

---

Leolin woke around eleven, lighting pouring generally though the glass plate that made up the wall opposite her bed. It offered and unparalleled view of the dark blue water, which twinkled under the near-noon sun.

She sat up, rubbing her eyes. She needed to get up. They were leaving for Louisiana in four hours.

She heard scratching and whining at the adjoining door and she smiled, rising and letting Rodames in. He cantered around the spacious room before running excitedly to her from pets and kisses.

"Is that lazy Draco not up yet, darling? Should we wake him?"

Leolin, feeling both playful and spiteful, strode into Draco's room, Rodames on her heels. Draco lay on his back, a hand flung over his eyes to shield them from the sun. Gen and Draco's bed was as big or bigger than Leolin's, and she had to crawl on it to touch him.

The room smelled faintly of Gen's perfume, and Leolin frowned.

"Get up, lazy bones," Leolin said, jabbing him in the side. "Your poor dog needs you."

"Fuck off, wench," he said.

"You don't deserve Rodames's loyalty," she said. "You know that, right?"

"Leave my dog out of this," Draco muttered sleepily, rolling onto his side. "He's the most spoiled creature on Earth."

Just then, Draco's floo, which lay several feet to his left, began to emit a soft pink smoke. That was Gen. Draco couldn't see it because he remained with eyes closed. Already reveling, Leolin swept a leg gracefully over Draco's right hip so she could reach the floo.

"Oy," Draco complained, having yet to move. "Get off me, Lefevre."

Leolin flicked it open, making her voice husky with sleep.

"Hello?"

There was stunned silence, and Leolin felt a grim satisfaction. Draco still hadn't moved, and Leolin stood on her knees so she was hovering but no longer touching him.

"Leolin," Gen said finally, her sweetness unable to completely mask her dismay.

"Hey," Leolin said simply, not wanting to tip Draco off.

"Go away," Draco replied, still thinking she was talking to him.

Leolin could imagine Gen fuming and fretting in equal measure, all the while refusing to let Leolin have the upper-hand by showing it.

"Is Draco there, by any chance?" Gen said tersely.

"Of course," Leolin replied simply.

This finally caught Draco's attention, and he swiveled so he was on his back. He glared at Leolin even as she dropped her hips against his.

"Well may I speak to him?"

Draco's strong hands were on Leolin's hips now as if he meant to lift her. However, Leolin simply pressed the floo to his ear, and he bit his lip and closed his eyes, knowing who it must have been.

"Darling," he said, sitting up and trying to coax Leolin off of him. He couldn't very well say anything.

Leolin gracefully swiveled a leg and got off as if that had meant nothing. She could see by Draco's breathing and thin trousers that it hadn't failed to affect Draco. He was having to fight to remain stoic. A familiar glitter in his gaze told her that he wanted nothing more than to tug her beneath him and fuck her senseless, regardless of consequences.

"Are you serious?" Gen snapped through he phone. "Why is Leolin in your room?"

"I can explain," Draco began a tad too hastily.

"Has she been there all night?" Gen said tersely.

"Of course not," Draco snapped back. "She just came in her to take the dog out and she answered my floo because she's a conniving bitch."

"Fuck you," Leolin snapped venomously. "You little snake."

With that she ushered the dog out, smiling a little as Draco's voice rose. She knew she'd sown major discord, and she didn't really care what that cost her the rest of the trip. It was absolutely worth it to make Gen suffer even a fraction of what she had. Besides, sitting astride Draco had caused a pleasant tingle beneath her thighs, and she knew he'd felt that spark was well.

She changed into her bathing suit and traipsed downstairs with Rodames. Ginny. Luke, Ieuan, and Blaise were sitting on the deck breakfasting from a lovely buffet

"You're up late," Ginny said as Leolin sauntered onto the deck. "You usually rise with the damn sun."

"I had a late night," Leolin said, wondering over to the breakfast spread and grabbing a slice of mango from the tray before pouring herself a mimosa from a crystal carafe.

"Oh yeah," Ieuan said. "Sneaking out to see your yankee beau?"

Leolin laughed.

"That was absolutely a one-time thing," she said, taking a bit of the mango.

"Too bad," Luke said softly, smiling at her. "He's something of a dream boat. Did you see the muscles in his arms?"

"I'm right here!" Ieuan protested, and Luke simply gave a soft shrug.

"I still can't believe you slept with him," Blaise huffed.

"What do you care?" Leolin asked mildly.

He didn't look up.

"I don't, beyond thinking his a cad and not good enough for you."

"Or," Ieuan offered conspiratorially. "He's representing the interests of a unnamed third party."

"Shove off," Blaise snapped.

"And speak of the devil," Ieuan muttered as Draco stormed onto the deck.

He made right for Leolin, grabbing her by the wrist so they were nose to nose.

"You little brat," he seethed.

"Draco!" Ginny admonished. "What the fuck!"

Leolin responded in a heartbeat, using the little wandless magic she knew to shock him with an electric bolt that forced him to let go.

"Damnit, woman!" he cried in irritation as she gracefully slipped past him to sit back down.

"Well," Ieuan said. "That was colourful."

"What in the actual hell is wrong with you two?" Ginny seethed. "We don't have time for this shite."

Draco ignored her, glaring as Leolin twirled a lock of dark hair around one finger.

"Why did you do that this morning?" Draco demanded. "Gen's still half-convinced we slept together."

"Well I'll be more than happy to set the record straight," Leolin sneered, standing and folding her arms across her chest. "I wouldn't sleep with you for love or money."

"Oh yeah?" he snapped, grabbing her arm. She once again shook of his grip.

"Don't touch me."

"Blaise," Ginny said. "Stop them."

"Back off, you two," Blaise demanded.

Leolin sneered at Draco. She had no clue why she was being so aggressive with him, but she couldn't stop herself today. It was perhaps in part of the way he'd acted the day before, but she'd also been nursing a slow-simmering agitation about the task that lay ahead of her in New Orleans. The idea of facing Adrian again was starting to make her fretful. She couldn't say it out loud yet, but she was desperately afraid of him.

"Stop torturing Gen," Draco said, bringing her out of her reverie.

Leolin and Ginny traded a look and they both rolled their eyes.

"I'll stop when she does," Leolin snapped.

"She's not the aggressor!" Draco insisted.

Now it was Ieuan's turn to roll his eyes.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Malfoy," Leolin said. "But I'm done playing nice with her. If she wants to get nasty, she better buckle up."

"Merlin's pants!" Ginny admonished. "Will you two cut it out already? Whatever this petty thing between you is, stop it. It's annoying and useless. We have bigger issues than Leolin and Gen."

Leolin sat down and Draco glared before sitting down as well.

"So," Blaise said in a bored voice. "Am I to assume this spat started last night or this morning?"

"Both," they replied in unison before sneering at each other.

"And what were you two doing together last night?" Ginny said. "If I may be so bold as to ask."

Leolin rolled her eyes,

"Lefevre found something," Draco said.

Blaise perked up.

"What?"

Draco conjured the canister and produced the image, explaining to the others what Leolin had explained to him. As he did, Leolin felt a shade coming over her, further darkening her mood. It was unnerving to see the image in daylight, and fear was making her dizzy. Under the noon sun, this suddenly seemed so…real.

"Well," Blaise said, drawing her from reverie. "That certainly ups the ante."

"Indeed," Draco said, pensive.

Leolin, who suddenly was feeling almost woozy, stood at once. There was something nagging, something familiar, nagging at her about the eyes in the painting, and paired with the thought of Adrian, she felt downright nauseous.

"Lai?" Ginny said concernedly . "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

What was she missing? Why were those eyes haunting her?

"Fine!" Leolin said too quickly.

Draco was studying her keenly now, a concern shimmering beneath his anger.

"I think I'm still just exhausted," Leolin said, and it was true; she felt weary. "I'm going to lay down until we leave."

Ginny exchanged a quick glance with Blaise.

"Of course, darling," she said soothingly. "We'll wake you up when it's time."

Leolin nodded, wanting to be alone while simultaneously fearing to be.

"Rodames," she called, and he lifted his head. "Allons."

"Oy," Draco said in irritation. "You can't take the dog with you!"

"Why not?" Leolin asked. "He wants to come with me."

"Lefevre," Draco groaned, and she shrugged, the eyes in the painting following her.

She'd seen them before.

"Goodnight, gang," she said, and Rodames led the way back to her room. When she collapsed onto the bed, the dog at her side, her weariness overcame here, and she tried to put her unease from her mind and focus on getting some rest. She would need the clarity.

The problem was that her sleep was anything but restful. She dreamt of Herpo's penetrating gaze, shrouded in darkness. She dreamt of bokor masks and rattling bones. She dreamt of Adrian and Lucius, their unwanted touches raking across her skin. She kept trying to wake herself up, but she felt trapped in a limbo.

It's not real, Leolin reminded herself. But that didn't feel true. Adrian's hand was around her neck, choking her as he whispered in her ear. She fought to get away, but Gen was standing there, keeping her from leaving.

Leolin made to call out for Draco, but he was deaf to her cries.

"Leolin? You awake, bug? It's six thirty. You need to get up."

Leolin sat up, pushing her sweaty hair off her forehead. She's slept hard, and a cold moisture clung to her skin. Ginny was sitting on the edge of the bed, frowning.

"How long was I out?" she asked, feeling disoriented.

What the fuck was wrong with her?

"A while," a second voice chimed.

Leolin looked up to find that Draco was standing in the doorway, watching her keenly.

"I should shower, then," Leolin said stiffly, not wanting to have to explain her unease.

She thought of Adrian again. She needed to pull it together.

"That's much appreciated," Draco said.

Leolin ignored him, pitching from the bed and padding to her bathroom. She closed the door and sunk to the cold tiled floor, taking deep breaths. Suddenly she regretted fighting with Draco. It wasn't that she needed his protection, but it was nice to know they were on the same side. Right now they weren't, and she knew that was her fault in part.

Finally she got in the shower, washing the unease and weariness off and pushing shampoo infused with eucalyptus into her hair. The scent and the steam calmed her, and she stepped out feeling more confident. She looked in the mirror. In school she used to love sparring with Adrian; she'd rarely lost, and it had almost felt like something she could control when everything else was in free-fall. She had to remember that tonight. He might have gained a little power, but deep down he was still the same little twat she'd put down time and again at Hogwarts.

"You ready?" Ginny called, wrapping on the door. "I already packed you a bag."

"Be right out," Leolin replied, quickly drying her hair and putting on a soft t-shirt and leggings.

She came downstairs to find the boys were already assembled.

"Finally," Blaise said. "Feeling better, Lai?"

"Loads," Leolin said, willing it to be true.

"We need to go," Draco said, checking his watch. "Gen's expecting us any minute."

"How are we getting there?"

"Side-along."

Leolin groaned.

"Alright," Blaise said, slinging an arm around Ginny. "Meet you there, then."

They disappeared.

"You know where you're going, Birdie?" Draco asked.

Ieuan nodded, and he and Luke disappeared as well.

"Why?" Leolin demanded.

"Come on," Draco coaxed. "I don't have time to mess about today."

"Just tell me where to—"

"Merlin, Lefevre," he growled, grabbing her hips and pulling her towards him. "You are such a child about this."

He dragged her into his arms, but she was visibly stiff.

"Hey," he said, taking her by the shoulders and looking at her intently. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," she said.

"You don't seem it."

"Quit picking at me," she snapped.

He gave a soft groan of irritation before giving her a much gentler look.

"I'm not. The opposite, in fact. I'm—worried about you. You seem out of sorts."

She didn't reply.

"Talk to me."

"It's nothing."

He gave her a meaningful look.

"You can't lie to me, Leolin. We both know that."

She looked up at him again, and his eyes skidded across her face as he sought to read her worry.

"Is this about us?" he said softly.

"What us?" she asked bitterly. "You've made it clear there isn't one."

He clenched his jaw.

"I'm sorry about London," he admitted, his tone more candid. "I was wrong to lash out."

"This isn't about London," she affirmed.

"Then what is it?" he said almost imploringly.

It never ceased to surprise Leolin the way he was so easily able to vacillate from cold to concerned. She wanted desperately to kiss him, but she knew how he'd react, and she needed to get away from him before she lost control.

"We need to go."

"Leolin—"

"Drake, please," she pleaded. "I can't talk about this right now."

"Fine," he said tersely, seemingly a little wounded. "Let's just go then."

He extended a hand without looking at her, and she accepted it, fighting to urge to melt into his arms.

The next minute they were spinning away, and Leolin regretted not eating anything today. Finally they arrived, and Draco's hands fell away from her.

They were at the end of a yawning drive that stretched what felt like 100 yards, a canopy of bending oaks guarding it from the sky above. Leolin looked back at Saint Charles street, and another wave of unease swept through her. It was the same feeling she'd had when she'd first arrived in New Orleans for Gen's dress fitting. It was as if something invisible was creeping through the streets, waiting to strike. Abruptly she turned her back, facing the house again.

"C'mon," Draco said to the others, waving his wand and unlocking some sort of ward.

With that he re-apparated to the front of the drive, and the others followed. The house itself was a French chateau style structure, and Leolin rolled her eyes. As a Frenchwoman, there were very few things more annoying than things feigning French authenticity when they had none.

There was a large rounded staircase at the end of the drive with two sets of stairs, and Gen hurried out the front door and down one set to greet Draco.

"Finally," she demanded, a slight edge in her voice. "You're three minutes late."

"I'm sorry," Draco said, accepting her embrace and kissing her softly. "Are the others here yet?"

"We're having drinks out in the back. Here, let Francois take y'all's bags."

Francois was a strapping man with smooth skin the colour of dark coffee. He didn't say a word as he collected their things.

They followed her through the house, which lavish to be point of being obnoxious, to the back patio. There Harry, Grace, and Tieran, and Pansy were already gathered.

"Come, sit, you six," Gen said, taking a quick opportunity to glare at Leolin.

Leolin ignored her.

"Something to drink?" another dark-skinned man said, his voice heavy with a French Haitian accent.

"Gin," Leolin said, not looking at Gen. "Avec le jus du chaux."

"Nan kou," the man replied. "Madamoiselle?"

"We'll both have a vodka tonic," Ginny said, gesturing to her and Blaise.

"Whiskey," Draco said, his eyes flitting to Leolin as well.

"glas?" the man asked.

"Non," Draco said. "Neat."

Finally the man looked at Ieuan and Luke.

"Monsieurs?"

"Vodka as well," Luke said.

The man nodded a disappeared.

"So," Tieran said when they were alone. "Here's this," he said, holding up what looked little a shimmering button.

"Is that the tracker?" Harry asked.

Tieran nodded.

"Bit ostentatious, don't you think?" Blaise said. "How is she supposed to slip that on him?"

"Here," Grace said. "Give it to me. I can fix that."

Tiernan handed it to Grace, who swished her wand. Immediately the pendant dimmed.

"How do we know it still works?" Pansy asked.

Grace handed it back to Tieran, who examined it.

"It does," he said. "We're good."

"Remember," Tieran said. "You have to get it on bare skin, or it won't function correctly."

"How is she suppposed to accomplish that?" Ginny demanded. "Strip him naked?"

"Stop!" Leolin said, trying not to sound too fretful. "Please. The last think I fucking need right now is to be imagining Adrian without clothes on. This is stressful enough on its own."

"Lai, are you sure you want to do this? You seem really wound up," Blaise said.

Draco was watching very keenly now.

"I'm fine," Leolin said, forcing some of the tension out of her body."I'm sorry, Gin, I didn't mean to snap at you."

Ginny gave her a sympathetic frown.

"I'm sorry, too," she repeated. "That was an insensitive thing to say."

Leolin bowed her head. She was starting to feel terribly uneasy about the whole thing again. She had to get over that. If she didn't, Adrian would tear her to ribbons.

"Leolin," Gen said, turning to her and giving a blithe smile. "I know you're the last person who needs fashion advice, especially from me, but I saw a dress when I was out today that was so you I had to buy it. I thought you might wear it tonight. It's up in your bedroom."

Leolin blinked back her surprise. She was sure it was shamefully slutty, but she supposed that's what tonight most called for. At least it saved her the trouble of having to pick out something of her own. It helped in situations like this to pretend she was someone else entirely.

"Thank you," Leolin said in a neutral tone. "I will."

She took a long sip of drink and let the conversation ebb and flow around her, not really listening to any of it. She took another sip. She really ought to eat something; the gin was starting to cloud her mind. However, she decided to have another instead anyways. At one point she watched Gen head upstairs to get ready and thought she ought to do the same. She didn't, though.

The sun was beginning to die around them, though the temperature didn't drop nearly as much as she would have expected. The air was still stolid and hot, which only contributed to the feeling that there was something lurking in the city she couldn't feel but knew was there.

But now she'd finished her second drink and she was definitely buzzed.

"Yous should go get ready," Tieran prompted to Leolin and Ginny. "We're meeting Brankovitch in an hour, and we have to give Pucey time to catch up to us if we want a shot at laying the tracker."

"Right," Ginny said, rising. "C'mon, Lai."

Leolin nodded numbly, taking Ginny's proffered hand and following her upstairs. This time, Leolin noticed, her room was as far from Draco's as possible. Clearly her little charade this morning had caused the pendulum to shift. Gen was on the defensive for the first time, and though Leolin had vowed to focus her attention on the gag and not winning Draco away, it still felt good.

"Meet you down there," Ginny said, disappearing into her own room.

"Yep," Leolin said, closing her door.

However, once she was alone, Leolin simply flopped on the bed. Her hands were shaking a little, but that might have been from the booze. That didn't stop her, however, from sending for another.

After lying on the bed for so long, she finally stood, shedding her casual clothes and wandering nude to her closet. Ginny had managed to bring nearly all the clothes Leolin had brought to South Carolina. They had already been unpacked, and Leolin drew a bra and knickers from the lingerie chest and slowly put them on. Gen's new dress hung in the closet, and Leolin gently reached out a hand to finger the soft skirt. It was a curve-hugging off the shoulder gown in burgundy silk, and Leolin had to admit it seems to strike the balance between sultry and demure. It was just the sort of thing that would lure a snake like Adrian in. Leolin could tell just by looking at it that it would fit like a glove.

She traipsed to her vanity and sank down. She took another sip of her drink before putting her head down for a second. Get it together, Lefevre. You can bloody do this.

---

"What's taking Leolin so long?" Tieran demanded. "We need to get going soon!"

Everyone was already gathered downstairs, having a final cocktail before they were due to leave.

"She's been weird all day," Blaise said, nudging his fiancée off his lap. "Gin, go check on her."

"No," Draco said authoritatively. "I'll go."

Gen grabbed his arm.

"Drake!" she said, feigning a laugh. "Don't be silly. Let Ginevra go."

He tugged his arm away.

"I'll be right back."

"No, Gen's right: let me go," Ginny said. "You're only going to make whatever this is worse."

Draco ignored her, starting up the stairs.

"Be down in two," he called.

Leolin heard a knock at the door, and she looked up. She'd managed to get a pair of garnet chandeliers in her ears and do her makeup, but she was still in her silk dressing down.

"Who is it?" she called.

"Draco."

"I'm not dressed yet," she said, but two seconds later she heard the door open anyways.

Their eyes met in the mirror before she quickly looked down. She didn't want to have to explain herself. He was wearing a simple pair of fitted khaki trousers with a crisp navy oxford. He wore a pair of expensive high-top sneakers on his feet. It wasn't something he normally would've worn.

"Your yank is rubbing off on you," Leolin commented, taking another sip of her drink. "I don't think I've ever seen you dressed this casually."

"Hopefully Adrian will think so, too," he said, approaching. "I want him to feel like he has the upper-hand."

She nodded, taking another sip of her drink to avoid speaking.

"You should eat something, Lefevre."

"I'm fine," she said. "And I didn't know you cared."

"You aren't," he countered. "And you know that's not true."

She said nothing, though she was flushing.

"I'm sorry about last night and this morning," he said, continuing the conversation from before. "I was being a terrible prick, and you're right; I should be more grateful."

"I'm still mad," she said as he set down a bar of chocolate next to her.

He smiled.

"I would expect nothing less," he said as she took a piece. It admittedly helped.

"Why aren't you dressed yet?" he asked casually touching one of her earrings and making it jingle quietly. "Everyone is waiting."

"I'm getting there," she said, making to take another sip of her drink.

However, Draco clamped a hand over the glass so she couldn't pick it up.

"I think you're good on that for now."

"You're not my keeper," she said, but he just shrugged.

"Until you get dressed I am. C'mon, get up."

"I don't need help," she said.

"Prove it, then," he said, stepping back with the drink still in his hand so she could rise from her vanity stool.

She did so, and she felt his eyes skating down her back as she crossed to the closet. The ice in her glass clanked as he took a sip. All the animosity from earlier had simply melted away, and she felt calm in his presence.

"Are you ready for this?" he asked as she slid the dress up her thighs and stepped into shoes. "It's okay if you aren't."

"No," she said fiercely. "I am. It has to be me, and it will be."

She struggled to reach the zipper and he stood, putting one hand of her hip to steady her as he zipped with the other.

"I know you're just going to yell at me," he breathed, nose practically to her neck. "But you don't have to do this. We can find another way."

She exhaled a shaky breath. This was no time to lose courage.

"No," she whispered. "I can do this."

"I don't doubt that," he said, gently prompting her to rotate her hips so she was facing him. "I just—I haven't forgotten what you said to me about Adrian." He pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. "That you're afraid of him."

Leolin would marvel at this complete change of tune on Draco's part from this morning, but this was always how it had been. One minute they were fighting and the next they were saying 'I love you'.

"I'm afraid of a great many things," Leolin said in a soft voice. "That doesn't mean I should avoid them."

"I can do this for you, if you want me to. Despite what you think, it doesn't have to be you."

"No," Leolin said, looking up at him. They were toe-to-toe now. "I don't need you to fight my battles anymore."

His eyes glittered warmly.

"You never needed that, Cal."

"You and I both know that's not true," she whispered back. "but thank you."

He nodded, and acknowledging that there was no plausible excuse for him to stand so close, he reluctantly stepped back, taking another sip of her drink.

"There is something I need from you tonight," she said, grabbing her clutch.

He looked back to her.

"Anything," he murmured, allowing her to come back over to him and reclaim her glass. She took a sip, and he watched her do so.

"When Adrian does show up, I need you to be all over Gen. He's only going to come after me if he thinks you're suitably distracted."

His smile faded a little, though he disguised it with a laugh.

"Gladly," he said, taking the glass and finishing the drink. "You should see how beautiful she looks tonight."

That stung, and she looked away. However, her touched her chin to urge her gaze back, and she acquiesced to his touch.

"Now you have to do something for me."

"No I don't," she pointed out, gently shrugging off his touch. "But go on."

"Promise me you'll be careful."

She turned sinking back onto the vanity stool and coaxing her hair into a voluminous chignon.

"I always am," she said.

She looked down at her hands, and when she looked up he was advancing. Putting a hand to either side of her so he could speak quietly in her ear.

"No you're not," Draco said, cool breath falling onto the newly exposed skin of her shoulder. "That's why I want your promise."

She said nothing, and he responded by leaning farther in.

"Promise me, Leolin."

She turned a little, looking at him over her shoulder. Now seemed like the perfect time to kiss him, though she knew it would end badly. Still, the temptation lingered.

"Fine," she breathed. ''I promise."

"Good girl," he said, retracting from his position and turning towards the door.

"One more thing," he said, turning back.

"What?"

"Be careful with that perfume. It's—intoxicating."

They both knew he'd crossed a line just then, but neither said a word; acknowledging it meant they had to stop. He opened the door and started down the hall and she let him, decided she'd sown enough unnecessary discord today. Right now it was all hands on deck.

When she was sure he'd made it safely downstairs she followed, plastering a smile on her face so the others wouldn't worry. She didn't want then to doubt her ability. She noted that Gen had wound herself around Draco, who hardly seemed to notice. Draco was right; she looked painfully beautiful. She was dressed more provocatively than Leolin had ever seen her, though the black dress was still knee-length and thin-strapped. However, it had two triangles of fabric cut out at the waistline, exposing her creamy skin.

Draco wasn't looking at Leolin as she descended.

"Ready?" Blaise asked skeptically.

"Born ready," Leolin said, a familiar glitter in her eye. "I know how handle Adrian better than anyone."

"This feels just like old times," Ieaun said, smiling and nudging Leolin supportively. "You always were a champion at shutting him down."

"Let's hope she still is," Tieran said seriously.

"Have fun," Grace said, sounding a bit put out. "I'll just be here all alone."

"We won't be out late," Pansy said, rolling her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic, darling."

Tieran checked his watch.

"Right," he said. "Let's go."

"Where is it we're going?" Leolin asked, smoothing her skirt.

"La Voûte," Gen replied. "It's a club on the edge of the quarter Max's friend Theriot owns."

"Dare I ask what 'voûte' means?" Pansy asked.

'Vault," Draco replied. "It's very elite. Adrian will probably be expecting to find us there."

"The Vault?" Ieuan repeated. "Why does that make me feel like I'm walking into a trap?"

"Because there's at least a fifty percent chance that you are," Blaise replied dryly. "Let's go."

They all filed into the floo and muttered 'Rue Dauphine.'

They emerged on the bustling Rue Dauphine a minute later, and Draco jerked his head in the direction of the bar they were headed to.

"You alright?" Ginny asked, looping arms with Leolin.

Leolin smiled.

"Fine. That painting just—I don't know, threw me for a loop. I just feel like the pressure's on me to figure this out and I'm worried I won't be able to."

"Okay," Ginny said. "Stop stressing. This isn't all on you. We will figure this out together, I promise."

Leolin nodded.

By this time they'd reached the crowded entrance of La Voûte, and Gen strode artfully to the front of the long line. When the burly doorman saw her, he gave a toothy smile, opening his thick arms.

"Genevieve. I heard you were back in town! We'd hoped to see you tonight. Theriot has a bottle waiting for you at the table."

"Thank you, Erik," she said, giving him a lovely smile. "Y'all are always too kind."

"Here for the funeral," he said.

"Yes," she said, giving one of her pretty little frowns. "It's so sad, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is," Erik agreed. "But whoever killed him is going to have to answer to Audige."

It was here that Erik acknowledged Draco, extending a cordial hand.

"Mr. Malfoy, nice to see you."

"And you," Draco said mildly. "And please, call me Draco."

"We ought to get inside," Gen said. "I think Max Brankovitch is already waiting for us."

"Of course," Erik said hastily, and the sleek lacquered door swung in. "Enjoy."

They all filed in, Leolin's eyes quickly scanned the rafters, looking for any of Adrian's gang.

The place did have a prison-esque ambiance, though it was tempered by elegant fishtanks full of erotic creatures and a starry sky overhead.

"C'mon," Gen said, taking Draco hand and gesturing an upper level with a swish of her blonde head. "Lets get to our table."

They trailed up the stairs to a semi-circle of low couches, a bottle of expensive champagne bathing in a bucket of ice that had been enchanted to sparkle like a pile of gems. Max was already seated and fiddling with his floo, and he looked up and grinned when he saw them.

"Genny," he said, rising and kissing her cheek. "How are you, sweetheart?"

"Fine," she said, smiling up at him.

His gaze flitted distainfully over Draco and more neutrally over the others before eventually landing on Leolin.

"Leolin," he said, the grin splitting his face wider. "You look—"

"I'm not in the mood," she said curtly, unwilling to tolerate his tawdry attempts at flirting when she had so many other things on her plate.

"Duly noted," he said, turning away from her. "Can I interest anyone in a drink?"

Leolin ignored his offer, turning to peer over the railing at the dance floor below. She didn't see a sign of Adrian or his crew, but she knew he'd be there. By this time word was spreading that Genevieve Beauchene and her billionare fiancée were there; that information would spread around the Quarter like wildfire. She gave Adrian on hour, tops.

She turned back to the larger group. They'd already popped the bubbles, and Gen wordlessly extended Leolin a glass.

"Thank you," Leolin said absently, though she didn't take a sip.

She watched instead as Draco drew a gleaming cigarette case and his floo from his pocket, pulling a slender fag from inside and slipping it between his full lips.

"Is that really necessary, Drake?" Gen said softly. "It's a disgusting habit."

Draco ignored this comment as he lit his cigarette before turning to look at Leolin. He extended the case and she accepted, pulling one out and lighting it with her floo. She wandered back a ways as she did, taking a deep drag before blowing two green plumes through her nose like a dragon. Gen watched her in blatant disapproval, though she said nothing.

Leolin looked over the balcony again, once again searching for Adrian's gang. However, they still hadn't showed. However, she watched as a series of flashes erupted it the bottom corner, indicating someone of passable importance has just walked in. As the figure emerged more fully into the crowd, Leolin could see it was Kelly.

Draco, came to stand at the balcony as well, six or so feet from Leolin, and groaned in irritation.

"What is bloody Troy doing here?"

"I invited him," Max supplied. "Word he's here as well is going to expedite this process."

Draco clenched his jaw.

"I seriously doubt that."

Leolin didn't inject, just took a healthy sip of her champagne as she watched Kelly ascend the stairs. He smiled when he saw her, ignoring Draco's glare.

"Hi," she said, letting him kiss her cheek. "This is a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here?"

"Brank asked, and I couldn't say no. I want to help, if I can."

"You can't," Draco said curtly. "So you might as well go."

Kelly rolled his eyes as he greeted the others.

"Champagne, KT?" Ginny asked, already handing him a flute.

"Thanks," he said gratefully, taking a sip. "Any sign of Pucey yet?"

"Not yet," Blaise said. "But he will be here."

"I don't doubt it," Kelly said, his tone sour. He turned to Leolin. "For the record," he told her. "I don't like this. Adrian is more dangerous than you give him credit for."

"No one knows that better than me," Leolin said. "But I'm the best person to lure him out. He has to know this is a risky move, but I know him; he won't be able to resist if he thinks he'll get a chance to torture me."

Pansy frowned.

"I don't like any of this."

"I know it's not ideal," Leolin affirmed. "But this is our best chance for tomorrow. We need to make it count."

"Just be careful," Ieuan warned. "He could turn the tables on you."

"I'll keep an eye on her," Kelly said with authority. "That creep won't dare lay a hand on her."

Leolin felt a warm bubbling in her stomach at his words, and she turned away to avoid flushing.

"There's Quinn," she said, gesturing to the lower bar.

"Does he have anyone with him?" Blaise queried.

Draco was looking now, too.

"Doesn't look like it. Adrian must have sent him to scout."

"We need him to see us," Ginny said.

"And we need to make contact," Leolin said.

"Malfoy, do something ostentatious," Tieran said. "Get him to look up here."

Gen, wanting to ensure she was part of the scene, came to stand next to him before trailing away to draw the gazes of those around her. Eyes moved to her at once, giving her the attention she was so famous for. Draco glanced at Leolin for a moment before following, leaning over to whisper into Gen's ear. Gen gave a musical laugh, turning so Draco could kiss her heatedly.

"Oh brother," Ginny grumbled.

Leolin watched with an envy that was only half fake, and she knew they were attracting attention from below. She gave them a pained look before scurrying away, as if she couldn't bear to see more. She knew when she got to the lower bar, Jaime would come over at once.

She hurried down the stairs, the crowding bending to let her pass as she swayed to the sleek bar.

"Gin martini," she told the bartender, and he nodded.

"Certainly."

"Lefevre," a voice cut in.

Leolin turned and pretended to be surprised, though her gaze was cool.

"Jaime," she purred, nonplussed. "My gods, you're everywhere."

"So are you," he said. "And if I may say, you're looking delicious as ever this evening."

"I'd prefer if you didn't," she said in a bored voice.

In characteristic Jaime fashion, he seemed undaunted by this barb.

"What brings you to the French Quarter, angelfish?"

"We go wherever her ladyship commands."

"You mean Genevieve," Jaime pressed. "It does seem like New Orleans is rather taken with her."

"No more than Draco," Leolin said in candid bitterness, and Jaime gave a smooth laugh. "What about you? I thought you had a gig in Charleston."

"Oh," he said, smirking. "You know me. Have wand, will travel."

She wanted to press the issue, but she knew he was too clever for that. He'd spook at the first whiff of trouble, which would be disastrous.

"Are you going to the funeral tomorrow?" he said eagerly. She feared Adrian had to same idea about ensnaring them that they had about him.

She gave him a confused look.

"What?"

His eyes glittered.

"You didn't hear? One of the bokors turned up dead a few days ago."

"No," she said, feigning surprise and alarm. "That's awful."

"They're having a big funeral tomorrow. Music, masks, dancing. It's quite the production. You sure you want to miss it?"

"I would feel uncomfortable going to the funeral of a perfect stranger," she said firmly.

Seemingly convinced they weren't likely be a threat, Jaime smiled.

"Your choice, of course."

"I should get back," Leolin said, as if she'd exhausted her tolerance for him.

"I hope I'll see you later," Jaime pressed. "Or tomorrow, perhaps."

Leolin rolled her eyes. "Don't hold your breath, Quinn."

With that she took an ambitious swallow of her drink before striding off and back to their plush couch.

"What'd you find out?" Tieran asked.

"It was a fishing expedition. He was trying to see what we know. I think he bought we didn't. He asked if we were going to the funeral and I told him no."

"Did he believe you?" Harry asked. Leolin shrugged.

"I'm not sure. I hope so."

"Thank Merlin you're such a good liar," Gen said sweetly, looking up at Draco. "You've really saved us."

"I do what I can," Leolin said. "We all have to."

"I'm just grateful that someone's willing to put themselves on display to get information," Gen replied. "I could never pull that off."

"Genevieve, that's enough," Draco drawled lazily.

"She started it with the little prank this morning," Gen defended, but Draco just gave her a bored look.

"And now you've finished it. Happy?"

"You aren't going to defend me?" Gen demanded softly.

"What's to defend?" Draco snapped back. "You got the last word in."

"You're my fiancée. Don't you want to do something?

"What do you want me to do?" Draco said irritable. "Challenge her to a bloody duel?"

"I—" she began, but Pansy interrupted her.

"Incoming."

They watched as Adrian, dressed in a sharp black suit, cut through the crowd to Jaime. They conversed for a second before Adrian's tawny eyes scanned the upper crowd, his eyes resting on Leolin when he found her. He drank her in, gaze wolfish. She turned her back.

"Who does he have with him?" Harry asked, not rising from his seat. They didn't want to seem to eager.

"Tate Rawle and Graham Montague," Tieran replied. "How long before he comes up here?"

"He won't," Blaise affirmed. "He'll wait until he can get Leolin alone."

"Then let's not hurry this along," Kelly said.

Gen curled against Draco's chest, and he wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders, though his gaze was still on Leolin.

"'Let's sit down," Ginny urged. "This needs to feel as organic as possible."

Draco ushered Gen to do as Ginny had instructed, and Leolin sat across from them at Kelly's left. He seemed pleased to have her next to him, and she was, too. He'd always been a comforting force.

Her heart was admittedly hammering in her chest, but that wasn't for fear of Adrian. Or rather, for fear of what he might do to her. It occurred to her that he could just as easily poison the well against her to Draco. That would be a disaster as well.

"What do you reckon they're talking about down there?" Pansy asked, eyes glittering.

"They are literally hatching an evil plot. This is exactly what we Gryffs suspected," Ginny said. "We knew you lot just sat around and made dastardly plans."

"Just think," Blaise said, smiling. "Some day our children will sit around and hatch evil plots with their friends, too."

"No, they won't," Ginny said. "Since they're going to be Gryffindors."

"Over my dead body," Blaise sneered. "Ugh, can you imagine anything more dreadful?"

"We've already agreed ours will be Slytherins," Pansy said, kissing Tieran softly.

"Grace and I hope the girls end up in Ravenclaw," Harry said.

"Why?" Kelly laughed. "They are the most ruthless bunch!"

"I know," Harry said. "That was just our compromise. Obviously I'm rooting for the scarlet and gold."

"Cara and I haven't even talked about children," Kelly said. "But she was a Hufflepuff, so—"

"Gryffindor, then," Blaise said dryly and Kelly laughed.

"Does it make me a bad person that I don't want my children to be Hufflepuffs?" he asked.

Leolin smiled.

"I think it makes you pretty normal, actually."

This whole conversation was admittedly making her stomach hurt a little. She wanted to look at Draco so they could reassure each other that their children would be Slytherin royalty. However, she couldn't; that wasn't a reality for Draco yet. Hell, the way things were headed, it could be that they never got to have children together.

She realized the conversation had continued, and she tuned in to hear Ginny add,

"Of course Draco's kids are going to be in Slytherin, bullying all the other houses."

"Oh Merlin," Blaise said. "Does that mean our kids are going to have to stick up for all their awkward ginger cousins? What a burden."

"Well we might not send our children to Hogwarts," Gen chimed. "So your little nieces and nephews may be safe after all."

"Wait, what?" Ginny laughed, looking at Draco. "You never told me you were thinking about that!"

Draco gave Gen a cool glance, drawing another cigarette and slipping it between his lips.

"That's because we aren't."

"What do you mean?" Gen said in an even voice, touching his thigh. "We've never discussed it."

She was, in her southern way, trying to hide her obvious annoyance. On some level, Leolin felt for her. Draco had an infuriating way of standing on useless and unrelenting principle.

"Because there's nothing to discuss," Draco said with finality. "My children are going to Hogwarts."

"That's very not fair," Gen pointed out. "You're not the only one who has a vested interest in where they grow up."

"I don't give a damn about fair," Draco said flippantly, blowing a plume of smoke. "That's how it's going to be."

"Nice, Malfoy," Max said, coming to Gen's defense.

"Gen knows who she's marrying," Draco said. "And there will be no negotiation on this subject."

Gen stood, going to the balcony. Leolin traded a look with Draco, and he seemed to understand that this was the moment he needed to make her seem agitated and jealous.

"I'm sorry, G," he said softly, caging Gen against the railing and kissing her neck. "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it."

She shrugged off his touch softly.

"You're being unfair," she told him, heading for the stairs.

"Go after her," Pansy urged. "You two fighting on the dance floor is going to attract Adrian's attention."

Draco put out the cigarette and followed, though he wasn't in any particular hurry. Gen was at the bottom of the stairs by the time he reached the top, and she wound through the crowd, drawing sufficient attention as she went. She made for the bar, and Draco followed her path, meeting her there. She was already nursing a drink as he approached, touching her hip and leaning in to kiss her cheek. She rebuffed his advance.

By this time they'd one the attention of those around them, and the group watching as she turned to him and began arguing. He quickly engaged, looking stern as he took her by the arm. That was a move Leolin knew too well. Gen jerked away. She turned but he jogged to get in front of her, walking backwards as he talked. Leolin's heart constricted painfully as he reached out to touch her soft hair. Gen turned back to the bar, and he gently caged her. She rotated, and he kissed her heatedly.

She responded heartily for the crowd's benefit, and Leolin felt a hot flush on her cheeks, and she gripped the railing so tightly her knuckles were white. When she tore her eyes away, she noticed Adrain on the opposite balcony, drinking in her reaction.

She turned away at once, watching as Gen pressed herself to Draco's side, putting her left hand to his chest to showcase her ring as they posed for a picture. Seeing her opportunity arise, Leolin grabbed Draco's gleaming cigarette case before heading for the rooftop deck.

"Be careful," Kelly implored her. "Please."

She nodded, setting off. She could sense Adrian moving in tandem. She wouldn't be on the roof for more than a minute or two before he was on her.

She lit a cigarette and waited, the balmy air blessedly mitigated by a breeze.

She heard the smart snap of dress shoes on concrete, but she didn't turn, simple exhaled a blessed lungful of smoke instead. She would be lying to herself if she said she wasn't terribly afraid.

"Lefevre," Adrian purred, approaching. "What a pleasant surprise."

She exhaled again.

"I wish I could say the same," she said, avoiding looking at him. "Actually, that was a diplomatic lie. I really don't."

His eyes glittered dangerously.

"Trouble in paradise?"

"Go away, Adrian," Leolin snapped, letting the tracer drop into her palm. The minute she pressed it to him it should sink in and disappear.

"You know I can't do that," he snapped. She could hes was pridefully wounded by her disinterest in him. "I'm supposed to report back to Lucius on your progress with Draco. I would hate to have to tell him you haven't made any."

Leolin thought about London or the sexual tension this afternoon.

"I'm working on it," she said, trying to sound fretful.

In truth, it wasn't too difficult. Adrian had a predatory gleam in his eye that she'd seen before. That was the look Lucius had given her all those years ago in the Gringott's vault.

"Well maybe you need an incentive to try harder," he said, approaching.

She quickly sized him up, trying to find a patch of bare skin big enough to adhere the tracker. It wasn't going to be easy to pull off organically. The only target available to her, besides his face, was the six or so inches of smooth skin between his shirt collar and the first button. He reached out quick as a snake, grabbing her by left hip and pulling her flush against him.

"Get off me," she demanded, turning in his arms and pressing the tracker in her palm to his bare flesh. His skin was unusually warm, and she jerked her hand away. "I'm warning you, Pucey."

"Should I use the Imperius again?" he asked, a malicious sparkle in his light eyes. He pushed some hair aside to brush his index finger down her neck. "Last time you were ready to suck my cock, remember?"

"You're foul," she snapped at him, batting his hand away breathlessly.

Goddamnit, why hadn't she brought her wand? She would just have to go old-fashioned.

"C'mon, Lefevre," he goaded, knotting a hand into the hair at her nape so she was forced to look up at him. "Don't be a spoil sport!"

She lifted her heel and jammed it down with all her force into his toe-box.

"Damnit," he hissed, letting go. "You stupid bitch, stop bloody doing that!"

"Lefevre!" Draco had just rounded the corner onto the veranda. He took in Adrian hunched over and Leolin's fearful face and nodded.

She nodded too, signaling she dropped the tracker.

"Same old song and dance, eh Malfoy?" Adrian wheezed.

"You're the same little creep, if that's what you mean," Draco said, striding around Leolin to grab Adrian by the collar.

"How dare you lay even one finger on her," Draco sneered.

"What do you care?" Adrian said with a snarl. "You have that hot American piece waiting for you inside."

"Say one more thing about Genevieve and you'll be spitting teeth for a week," Draco warned.

"You're a blunt instrument, you know that?" Adrian said nastily, aware that he was quickly losing the upper hand. "All brawn and dumb threats. You're going to need more than brute force if you want to protect your harem, Malfoy."

Draco punched Adrian in the jaw, and the latter stumbled backwards, swearing.

"What do you think of my brute force now?" Draco countered.

"I still think," Adrian said, looking at Leolin as he wiped blood from his busted lip. "That I have all the right cards in hand. It's not just about what you can see, Malfoy. It's about what you can't."

"How poetic," Draco sneered. "Now get out of here before I let Lefevre finish what she started."

Adrian sneered.

"I have what I came for," he said, labouriously rising to his feet.

He skirted deftly around Draco before clamping a hand to Leolin's throat and pushing her suggestively against the wall.

"Keep up the good work, Lefevre. I'll be watching."

Leolin made to punch him in the gut, but in a snap he was gone. Draco approached, tucking a hair that had come loose behind her ear. Adrian's tugging had practically pulled the whole chignon undone.

"You alright?" he his fingers trailing down to touch her chin. She tilted it up to look into his glittering eyes.

Leolin nodded, her heart hammering in her chest. She knew it was more than Adrian that was spiking her pulse.

"Come here," he said soothingly, pulling her to his chest and resting his head gently atop hers

"Someday I'm gonna kill that prick," she whispered against his chest, craning her neck back to look at him again.

He brushed her hair back again before cupping one of her cheeks, eyes tracing her lips. She licked them, desperate to kiss him.

"I don't doubt it," he breathed.

"Look," he whispered, his thumb arcing gracefully across her creamy cheek. "I know you don't need my help, but I could end him for touching you like that."

"I know," Leolin said, grateful. "Thank you."

They stood silently staring at each other for a minute, but she knew she had to leave before she slipped up and kissed him.

"I'm going to head back inside," she said, stepping back and looking down. "Here's this."

She extended the case and he took it.

"See you in a minute."

He nodded, looking doleful.

When she'd almost reached the stairs, he called out to her.

"Leolin, wait."

She turned, hoping against hope he was going to kiss her.

"What did Adrian mean?" Draco asked pointedly. "About keeping up the good work?"

Leolin's heart raced. If only she could tell Draco the truth.

"I don't know."