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

23. Chapter 22: Hit 'Em High, Hit 'Em Low

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Chapter 21: Hit 'Em High, Hit 'Em Low

"So how are things with Ginny? It feels like I haven't seen her in an age."

Draco and Blaise were in a private booth at The Em, their feet propped on the glass table in front of them as they smoked expensive cigars.

"As if you have to ask," Blaise said, a rare but genuine smile spreading across his face.

"That's great." Draco said.

"I didn't know it was possible to be this happy," Blaise admitted.

"Good for you," Draco said.

"The crazy part is that she's going to say yes!

Draco laughed.

"Isn't that the point?"

"Well obviously," Blaise said. "But I never imagined I'd actually get here."

"Would that I could time travel to eighteen-year-old you," Draco laughed. "He would piss himself when he found out you were going to marry Weasley."

"I really thought I was going to lose her to sodding Carmichael," Blaise said. "Shouldn't have brought Riley to your wedding."

Draco bowed his head, obviously thinking about it.

"It all sorted itself in the end. Can't fuck with fate, I suppose."

There was a charged silence, and Blaise was sure they were thinking the same thing. If one truly couldn't fuck with fate, then Draco was still destined to marry Leolin. However, Blaise prudently didn't point this out.

"No one actually believes in that shite, right?" Draco said at last, clenching his jaw.

"I don't," Blaise said. "I wouldn't have been sweating bullets for eight years if I did."

"Good point," Draco said, leaning back and sipping his scotch.

Blaise, wanting desperately to change the subject, gave soft frown. "Can I ask you something?"

"Didn't you just?" Draco replied dryly.

"Have you and Gen started taking about kids yet?"

"We had a scare about six months ago, but other than that, no. Why?"

"Ginny brought it up last night, and I can't decide if I find it exhilarating or terrifying."

"Like I said," Draco said flippantly. "I wouldn't really know."

"Right," Blaise said. "I just thought—"

"Thought what?" Draco demanded sharply.

Blaise licked his lips.

"I thought you and Leolin might have discussed it."

"So what if we did? That was a lifetime ago, and it has no bearing on me and Gen's plans."

"I know," Blaise said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject again."

"No," Draco said, sighing. "I shouldn't have gotten so shirty. I just—I had a dream about her last night. About Lefevre."

"Where you two—?" Blaise began delicately, but Draco shook his head, running his hands through his pomaded hair.

"No, thank Slytherin," Draco sighed. "We weren't really doing anything. We were just lying on this beach, and she was smiling at me. Then all of the sudden she jumped up and took up and I ran after her. Every time I got close she disappeared again, and right as I was about to finally catch her, I woke up."

"What do you suppose it means?" Blaise asked, considering.

"I don't know," Draco said. "Nothing. I mean it's just a dream, right?"

Blaise shrugged.

"Did you tell Gen?"

"Why would I? She's riled up enough about Lefevre enough as it is. It's driving me mental."

"Well at the risk of hacking you off, do you think it might mean—?"

"No," Draco snapped. "Don't even start."

"I'm sorry."

"I love Gen, Blaise," Draco said forcefully. "As much as I ever loved Leolin. Maybe more."

Blaise blinked back his surprise. He hadn't Draco say her name out loud if over two years.

"You have to accept that, and tell Ginevra the same. I can't deal with her secret agenda anymore."

Blaise nodded.

"I'm sorry, know we just want you to be happy."

"I am," Draco affirmed. "More than I've even been."

Blaise nodded.

"Right," Blaise said. "Enough about the womenfolk. Let's get legless."

---

Leolin woke up and blinked several times before slowly sitting up. She'd had a dream where she'd been sleeping in Draco's arms. Or perhaps it hadn't been a dream at all, just a half-conscious longing. Either way, it was painful to accept it wasn't true. The last before had left her feeling naked and raw, and she yearned for Draco's comfort so much that she considering to going to him for a moment. However, she knew she couldn't, and the reality of that fact ached bitterly.

She sat up more fully, rubbing her eyes and looking over at Severina, who sat on the opposite side of the spacious room on the floor, trying to soothe Isadora though the floo.

Isa was wailing, fat tears rolling down her cheeks as she reached out for Severina. Xavier was trying to calm, whispering gently to her in Spanish. She didn't seem swayed by him, but eventually she collapsed onto his shoulder, too spent to cry. Severina tried to continue to soothe her, but Isa was having none of it.

Anaïs appeared now, holding Sonia on one hip and ushering Angelina forward, who sank down, ignoring her sister and speaking to her mother. She too seemed distressed.

"Per che, Mama?" she begged.

"Mama!" Isa sobbed, beginning anew.

"Me despiace, bambinas," Severina said softly. "Zia needs me here."

"I need you, too!" Angelina said, tears welling in her big blue eyes.

"I know, tesoro," Severina said. Leolin could tell from the rounding in her friend's slight shoulders how distressed she was. "I will be back by tonight, I promise."

Angelina nodded dolefully, retreated to Anaïs, whose hair and eyes went dark to match Severina's. Severina watched with a pained expression. The gesture was likely meant to be comforting, but like many of the things Anaïs did, it was uncomfortable. No longer able to bear watching the girls cry, Severina looked desperately at her husband. Anyone who knew the fierce Xavier Borgia would scarcely have been able to believe his face was capable of such genuine anguish.

"Te quiero," Severina whispered to him. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head.

"Don't be. And take your time. We're fine here, vale?"

She nodded, looking back at Isa again.

"Isadora," she said softly. "Mira a Mama." Isadora didn't turn, only cried in Xavier's shoulder. "Me despiace, cariña. Te quiero and te extraño. Te veo pronto."

Isa only clung tighter to her father.

"Isadora," Xavier urged her gently. "dígale adiós a tu madre."

"No," Isa said quietly.

"I love you," Severina said to Xavier instead.

"A tú tambien," he told her. "Come home to me soon, il mio Rina."

She nodded, and with that the call ended in a soft wisp of smoke. Severina gave a short, soft sob. covering her eyes with a manicured hand. Even in private she hated to show weakly. Leolin stood and went to her.

"Sev," she said.

Severina stood and wiped her eyes.

"Leolin," she said, recovering quickly. "Me despiace. I didn't mean for you to hear that." There was a pitcher of water sitting on a side table, and Severina flicked her wand and filled a glass before levitating it to Leolin. "How do you feel?"

Leolin took a grateful sip.

"Better," she affirmed. "Much better."

"Good," Severina said, making the bed with another flick of her wrist before settling on top of it.

"I'm sorry to tear you away from the girls," Leolin said, but Severina was shaking her head.

"Never apologise for needing me, tesoro. I will always be here for you, just as I always know you will be here for me."

"About last night—" Leolin began, but Severina shook her head.

"That wasn't your fault," Severina assured her. "It was Pucey's. His cruelty isn't on you."

Leolin bowed her head.

"I feel pathetic for being so afraid of him," she admitted.

"Don't be," Severina said. "He frightens me, too."

"I just feel like if I had been—"

"Stop punishing yourself, cariña,"Severina ordered. "What's done is done, and you're not to blame for his cruelty. That's his problem, not yours."

"I just wish I could stop feeling so guilty all the time," Leolin said.

Severina scrutinised her gently.

"Are we still talking about Pucey?" she said in a soft voice.

Leolin bit her lip.

"I know Draco is hurting," she said. "But can't he see I am, too? How can he not realise how much I love him?"

"You've said it yourself," Severina pointed out. "The gag is making him sick, tesoro. He will come around, just give him time. I also think you have to accept that you love a difficult man."

"I know," Leolin said. "And I have. It's just—ugh! Why does he have to be so difficult all the time?"

Severina laughed.

"You're asking the wrong person. Xavier has ten times the temper Draco ever could. But in the end we have to love them as they are, not as we'd like them to be."

Leolin nodded.

"You're right, as always."

Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Leolin called.

"Ginny," came the reply. "I come bearing breakfast."

"The door's open," Leolin replied.

Ginny came in smiling at Leolin and levitating a large tray casually in front of her.

"Good morning," she said, and Leolin returned her smile gratefully.

It was here that Ginny's eyes flick to Severina.

"Borgia," she said evenly, setting the tray done on the bed.

"Weasley," Severina replied in the same tone.

Leolin looked between them before plucking a grape off the tray and popping it in her mouth. Seemingly having no more to say to Severina, Ginny turned her attention back to Leolin.

"How are you, Bug?" she asked affectionately. "How was Rome?"

She tucked a piece of Leolin's hair gently behind her ear, and Leolin seemed soothed by the action.

"Tense," she admitted.

"Did you figure out Clement's Keeper?" Ginny asked.

Leolin nodded.

"Then someone tried to killed Chaisson and I, Adrian got wind we were in Rome, and he was waiting for us at King's Cross."

"Oh Merlin," Ginny murmurred. "Did he see you?"

Leolin shook her head.

"Rina has a short-term invisibility ring. If she didn't we would have been properly fucked."

"Good thing, then," Ginny said, giving Severina a small smile she returned.

"I know," Leolin said. "Still, it was stressful. He's getting bolder."

Ginny shook her head in disgust.

"How did he bloody get like this? I don't remember him being nearly this bad at Hogwarts. He's changed."

"No," Leolin amended. "This has always been him. The only difference is that in school Drake was always there to keep him in check. You know how much he intimidates Adrian even now."

"Was he was unpopular in school, then?" Severina asked, trying to get a better sense of him.

Leolin shook her head.

"No, he had tons of friends, and you've seen him; he's attractive. He rarely, if ever, slept alone."

"Not to me, he isn't," Severina sneered.

"I know," Leolin said. "But he always had loads of girls after him. It used to drive me mental."

"I can't believe Eleanor Riley slept with him," Ginny said in disgust. "She's so sweet."

"Is she?" Leolin asked mildly. "I don't remember you being particularly keen on her when Blaise brought her as his date to the rehearsal dinner."

Ginny pursed her lips.

"Well considering how that shook out," she said. "Can you really blame me?"

"Suppose not," Leolin said.

"Didn't he also sleep with both of the Greengrass sisters?"

"It wasn't just that," Leolin said. "We're fairly positive they had a threesome after the party celebrating Draco not being expelled."

"You're kidding," Ginny said, wrinkling her nose.

"I wish I was," Leolin said, feeling a little sick to her stomach. "But the three of them disappeared suspiciously early, and Astoria never came to bed that night. Pansy said Daphne didn't either."

"That's foul," Ginny said.

"Why are we talking about this?" Leolin said. "Please, can we change the subject?"

"Of course," Ginny said sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Lai."

Leolin shook her head to indicate it was alright, but Severina and Ginny both noticed she's wound her arms protectively around herself.

"We have to focus on the real problem," Ginny said. "How the bleeding hell did he find you so quickly?"

Leolin shook her head again. "I have no earthly idea."

"Could have he tracked you out of England? Had someone waiting in Rome to follow you?"

"No," Leolin said firmly. "He's good, I'll give him that, but no one is that good. I left using Sev's passport, and Rome is huge."

"Maybe one of your Genie contacts tipped him off?"

"Again, it's just not possible. None of those people even know who I really am. There is no way Adrian would be able to get to them."

"Who all knew you were there?" Ginny asked.

"No one," Leolin affirmed. "Just me, Chaisson, Sev, and Xavy."

"Are you sure we can trust Chaisson?" Severina asked.

"He was with me all day," Leolin said. "He wouldn't have had time to get a message to anyone. Besides, he killed the priest, and I saw the look on his face; it wasn't staged."

"Who does that leave?" Ginny said, and her eyes slipped over Severina before snapping back to Leolin.

Severina's expression darkened.

"Lei è grave?" She demanded to Leolin, gesturing to Ginny. "Lei mi avrebbe accusato? Dille di affanculo!"

"Gin please," Leolin said, sounded hurt. "Severina and Xavier are family to me. You know that."

"Lei mi deve delle scuse," Severina sneered, and Leolin nodded.

Ginny look ashamed, cheeks flushing as she addressed Severina. "I'm sorry, Borgia," she said. "I didn't mean that."

"I would sooner die than betray my family," Severina snapped.

"I know that," Ginny affirmed. "I'm sorry."

Severina glowered at her before finally nodding.

"Vale," she said stiffly. "Then I accept your apology."

Leolin took both of their hands.

"Thank you," she said. "As for Adrian, we can worry about him later. Right now I need to shower. Meet you two downstairs?"

They both nodded, and she stood. As soon as the door of the bathroom closed, Severina regarded Ginny with bright eyes.

"I'm not your enemy, you know," she said casually, watching Ginny.

"I know that," Ginny said, fighting not to cross her arm defensively across her chest.

"We aren't in competition for Leolin's affections," Severina continued calmly. "She talked about you and Zabini often while she was away. She never forgot about you."

Ginny exhaled a breath she didn't realise she'd been holding.

"I think you and I could even be friends," Severina continued. "If only you could learn to stop fighting me and start trusting me."

"I never said I didn't trust you," Ginny said, defensive again.

"I can see by the way you look at me that you don't," Severina replied, dark eyes glittering.

"Well, I haven't forgotten what you tried to do to Leolin all those years ago," Ginny admitted.

"And yet you've long since forgiven Draco for the same transgression," Severina pointed out evenly. "Besides, have I not made up for it since then?"

Ginny eyed her but said nothing.

"I assure you its much more pleasant to be my friend that my adversary," Severina said, voice calm. "I don't think you'll like the pressure I'll exert if you try force me from my place at Leolin's side."

"Some might consider that a position you gained through usurpation," Ginny said, her tone a touch cold.

"You can't sit at both her left and her right," Severina pointed out. "Don't be petty."

Ginny let out another stale breath before surveying Severina again. Severina raised her eyebrows as if waiting for Ginny's answer.

"I'm sorry," Ginny bit out at last, sinking next to Severina. "But it's—hard to see you two together and not be—"

"Jealous?" Severina offered. "You're beginning to sound like a spurned lover, Ginevra."

"I've missed Leolin every day she was gone, and I never stop wondering where she was or what she was doing," Ginny defended. "It was exactly—easy to hear she'd been gallivanting around Europe with you, of all people."

"You make it sound like she left you all to on an extended holiday. It wasn't like that. Even after we became friends, she was still sick to be separated from you."

Ginny considered this before finally nodding. Severina extended her hand, and Ginny looked at it for a moment before shaking.

"Friends, then," Severina said, eyes dancing across Ginny's face.

"Yeah," Ginny said. "I suppose so."

Severina smiled.

"Don't look so glum, Weasley," she said. "I've been told that being my friend is rather enjoyable."

Ginny laughed softly at this.

"Good to know," she said, and with that she slipped out of the suite.

---

Draco woke feeling latently agitated, and he tried to relax as Gen nestled closer to him. He brought a hand to be back, taking what he hoped would be a calming breath. However, it didn't really help. If anything, it only made him more restless. When Gen readjusted again, mewing contentedly, he fought the urge to nudge her off gently so he could get up.

Despite forgiving her following their spat the previous morning, he couldn't deny how much her words had bothered him. However, it wasn't just that. Leolin had arrived back late the night before, Severina in tow. Draco took from Severina's presence that Leolin had likely run into trouble getting back into England, and the thought made his stomach clench. There was no pointing in denying how desperately he'd wanted to go to her when she'd arrived, and in truth it was only the unpleasant prospect of tangling with Severina that had stopped him. He'd settled for waking Gen up for a round of slow, passionate sex instead, assuring himself that the feeling would be gone by morning.

However, it wasn't. In fact it was worse. He knew he shouldn't, but as his eyes swept closed he allowed himself to indulge in a quick fantasy about Leolin. He justified it by assuring himself it was better than worrying about her and Adrian. He let his mind go, and she unexpectedly appeared to him in an evening gown. He had it hiked to her waist, and he watched her expression of ecstasy in the mirror as he plowed into her from behind.

"Drake," she moaned. "Fuck."

He responded by nipping at her ear, and she shuddered with delight.

"Harder," she demanded, and he happily obliged. Just as he was about to lose it in the dream, his eyes snapped open. He wasn't nearly as close to climax as he'd been in the fantasy, but he could feel his cock beginning to stir.

At this he did nudge Gen off, preferring to shower rather than wake her. He wasn't in the mood for sex.

He was up before she could protest, and in his absence she simply snuggled into the warm indent his body had left. Heaving a soft sigh of relief, he padded to the luxurious bathroom and turned on the steaming tap. The water felt good on his skin, and he tipped his head contentedly back onto the tiles as it washed over him. The steady stream was making it easier to relax, and the knot work of tense muscles in his back slowly released.

He thought of Leolin again, though this time she looked frightened, and Adrian had her tightly by the arm as she struggled vainly against him. He clenched his jaw, teeth grinding painfully together at the thought. He pictured poor Leolin stripped to bra and knickers and trembling in Scabior's filthy coat, and Draco slammed his fist against the wall. He had a sudden urge to find Adrian and rip his upper mandible from his lower, and the thought of it had him so keyed up that he started and Gen's unexpected touch, grabbing her wrist reflexively.

"Sorry," he said, releasing her at once. "I didn't hear you come in."

"Are you alright?" she replied.

"Fine," he said. "I just have a lot on my mind."

She nodded knowingly, sliding her fingers into his wet hair and pulling him down for a kiss. He obliged before pushing his forehead to hers and licking his lips, eyes closed.

"You seem tense," she remarked casually, pressing her palms to his chest and kissing him squarely again. In truth she was probing from information.

"A bit," he admitted, peeling her palms away and kissing each one. When he released them, she slide one down his quivering abdomen, kissing the corner of his mouth and breathing, "I can help with that." She wrapped a hand around his thick shaft and he inhaled sharply.

Understanding what she intended, he gave a soft laugh, urging her hand away.

"You don't have to," he assured her.

"I want to," she purred, already sliding down to kneel at his feet.

"Gen," he began, but when her tongue touched the sensitive head, his protestation faded to a groan.

He tipped his head back again, sliding elegant fingers into her hair and pumping gently against her mouth. Before he could stop himself, he was fading back into a fantasy. Or was it a memory? He was standing by the mantle in Leolin's bedroom in the Chateau Lefevre, half-drunk and fighting to keep control. The thought of it made him buck his hips. Oh gods he was close. Forcing himself to picture Gen's pink lips around his cock instead of Leolin's, he let go. When it was done she stood, smirking.

"Better?" she asked.

He smiled.

"Much."

She looked pleased, turning her attention to washing her hair and lathering her skin with a fresh-smelling soap. He watched her hungrily before making a decision. He pushed her against the tiles and kissed her.

"Drake," she protested weakly. "I still have shampoo in my hair."

"Then I'll be quick," Draco promised.

It took no time at all to get her ready, and within minutes he was pumping inside of her. He suddenly had to urge for something different. Maybe it as being in the shower, which were Leolin and Draco did most of their experimenting, but suddenly he could think of nothing else.

"Flip over," he commanded hoarsely.

"What?" she said dazedly.

"Turn around," he laughed quietly. "Be a good girl for Daddy and turn around."

She did as she was bid and turned, and he sunk into her tight arse with no preamble. Perhaps she'd been expecting this or perhaps she wasn't as much of a stranger to this act as she'd let on, but she didn't complain, only pushed back against him, making him moan.

"Fuck," he groaned quietly, grabbing her hips and getting impossible deep.

"Oh gods," she pleaded, and he fought not to freeze at the utterance.

That was Leolin's voice.

"Don't stop," Leolin airy lilt instructed.

Fuck, why had he allowed himself to indulge in that fantasy earlier? He should have known this was going to happen. He still hadn't moved, vainly hoping to dislodge Leolin from his brain. However, Gen took the initiative and began pumping along his length. The minute she did he knew it was over. She was Leolin now, totally and completely, and it was driving him wild with desire. It felt so good he had to bite back her name, which had been dancing along the tip of his tongue since they'd begun.

"Draco, gods," Gen screamed, drawing him back.

He rode her faster in response, knowing he wasn't going to be able to dislodge the thought of Leolin and just wanting to get it over with. He was close, dangerously close now and when he spilled into her he moaned, "I love you."

When he pulled out, Gen turned in his arms.

"I love you, too," she said desperately.

He let her kiss him a final time before pushing her back under the pretext was rinsing her hair. She tilted her head as he washed her clean.

"I love you," she repeated when he was done.

He gave her a dazzling smile, feeling guilty it was somewhat faked.

"I need to get out," he laughed. "I'm starting to look like a sodding prune."

She laughed, too.

He turned away from her just as the merriment faded. He couldn't say why, exactly, but he was thinking about Leolin again, worrying about whether she'd hit one of Adrian's blockades coming back into England. The very thought drove him a step or two farther away from Gen.

"See you when you get out," he promised, and with that he slipped quickly from the room.

---

When Leolin got out of the shower, the room was empty and she dropped the towel, stepping into a black bra and knickers and throwing on a robe before sinking down at her vanity and studying herself. For someone who'd suffered a pathetic emotional meltdown the day before, she thought she looked pretty damn good. She dried her waist length hair with a flick of her wrist before pulling it over her left shoulder and beginning to weave a fishtail braid. When someone knocked on the door, she didn't turn, still vainly admiring herself in the mirror.

"Who is it?" she called.

"Chaisson."

"Go to hell please," she said evenly.

"Please bichette, can we talk? I come in peace, I swear."

"Fuck your peace."

"I also come with champagne."

She considered.

"C'mon, bichette. I know Möet is french woman's water."

"Fine," she said. "Entre."

He nodded gratefully, pouring a flute and extending to her. She didn't move to take it, and he gingerly set down next to her. He looked sheepish, his eyes cast mostly to the floor to keep from ogling her her lean legs, which were not covered by the robe.

"Merci," she said finally, finishing the braid and taking a sip.

"You're welcome."

"Right," she said at last. "What do you want?" she asked flippantly, watching him in the mirror for a moment before going back to applying makeup.

"To apologise," he admitted. "I'm sorry, Leolin. I said some terrible things last night I didn't mean."

She looked down but said nothing.

"And I'm sorry about pushing you about Pucey," he said sincerely, advancing a little. "He's a brute. I could kill him for last night, and myself for not doing more."

She considered this carefully before answering.

"That's not your fault," she said in a soft voice. "I'm—I shouldn't have dragged you into this. He's not someone you want to tangle with, believe me. It was selfish to drag you into his sightline."

"Non," he said somewhat fiercely. "I'm glad you did. I meant what I said last night. I want to help you, if I can."

She nodded.

"I know that," she said. "And I know I was being a brat last night, but you should know that I am grateful. I just—I'm not used to letting people in."

"I don't blame you," he admitted. "Especially after meeting that putain Pucey."

"I would like your help. You're right about Drake; I'm still desperately in love with him, and I think I'm running out of time to win him back. The only thing I ask is that you don't push me. I'll tell you everything eventually, but I have to do it in my own time."

"Of course," he agreed. "Whatever you want."

She eyed him warily.

"And about this renard business—"

He gave a sheepish laugh.

"Regarde, I know I still have a lot to learn about having female friends, but I—I'm willing to learn, if you're still willing to teach me. And I promise I won't—on you again."

"Good," she said. "Because I reserve the right to keep slapping the shit out of you."

"That's fair," he admitted with a laugh.

She nodded, standing and dropping her robe as she disappeared behind a changing screen to get dressed.

"That was a test," she called mildly. "You failed."

"Non!" he cried. "C'mon, that was unfair! And you can't expect me not to look at those beautiful—"

"Don't make me slap you again," she warned, poking her head from behind the screen.

"Sorry!" he laughed hastily. "Je ne vais pas le faire à nouveau."

"Yeah, you better not do it again," she said, emerging in a pair of white jeans and a loose grey shirt. She gave a turn to show that the long-sleeved garment had a deep v-neck in the back, showing off her lithe muscles and her definitive lack of bra.

"How do I look?"

"Is this a trick?"

"No."

"Incredibly beautiful."

"If you were Genevieve would you cower in fear?"

"I'm not Genevieve and I'm cowering in fear."

She laughed.

"Shall we, then?"

He nodded, extending his arm in a genteel manner. She accepted the gesture with a smile.

---

The first person she saw when they arrived was Draco. He wasn't currently facing her, but she studied flawless features in profile before he turned to drink her in. He eyed Felix contemptuously first before his gaze slid to her. She could tell from his expression that Ginny must have told him about King's Cross, and he looked fiercely protective. She wanted very desperately to run into his embrace, and something in his glittering eyes seemed to signal he wanted that just as badly. However, when she noticed Gen eying her hatefully as well, a pang shot through her. She glanced at Felix, who gave her a sympathetic smile.

Luckily, she was only forced to endure the pain for another moment before her attention was blissfully diverted elsewhere. Draco sneered hatefully as Kelly approached with Blair, but Leolin smiled.

"There she is," Blair said, folding her into his arms. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes! And where's the rest of your shirt?"

She laughed.

"Blair, I'm 25. Love me as I am."

He laughed too as she smiled at Kelly and he winked at her.

"Hey Kel," she said affectionately.

"You alright, darling? Heard you got into a spot of trouble yesterday."

Merlin, did word travel fast.

"Oh, you know me."

" Unfortunately we do. That's why we're asking," Blair said.

"I think it's been greatly exaggerated in the re-telling. It was nothing really," Leolin said, trading a glance with Felix and warning him not to tip his hand. "You can ask Ren or Severina."

Blair and Kelly both gave Felix a dismissive glance, but neither said anything.

"Where is Sev, by the way?"

"On the floo, I think. She has been pretty much all morning."

Leolin felt a pang of guilt at the memory of Isadora's pained expression.

"Have you seen Potter?" Blair said abruptly.

Leolin shrugged.

"No, why?"

"He left cryptically this morning as well. Bit annoying, if I'm being honest."

"Well I'm sure he had a good reason," Leolin said. "I wouldn't worry too much about it. Though I suppose if you're that concerned, you could just ask Grace."

"She didn't know," Blair said. "That's the annoying bit."

"What?" Kelly laughed. "You have a crush on him or something?"

"He was just acting dodgy, is all," Blair explained. "But whatever, you're right. He's Harry Potter."

"Indeed he is," Leolin agreed.

By this time Ginny and Blaise had arrived and were talking to Draco. Leolin smiled at Blair, squeezing his hand affectionately before smiling at Kelly, who winked. Leolin released Blair's hand and gravitated to Ginny's waiting embrace, and Felix trailed after her.

"You look lovely, as usual," Ginny said pointedly. "I love the back!"

She turned Leolin so they could all see. Leolin could feel Draco's gaze slipping pleasantly down her bare spine.

"Don't you love that, Z?" Ginny said to Blaise, who laughed.

"I feel like I'm supposed to say yes?" he said dubiously, and Leolin laughed.

"Oh stop it darling, you're embarrassing me!"

Ginny smoothed the tail of Leolin's long braid affectionately between thumb and forefinger, and Leolin was instantly soothed.

It was at this point she turned to face Draco and Gen. His eyes were sparkling with something warm and inviting, and she had to fend off a blush.

"You alright, Lefevre?" he said in a rich, smooth voice. "Heard you got into a bit of a scrape with Adrian last night."

"Hardly," she said breezily. "More like the world's most boring game of hide-and-seek. He's shite at the seeking bit."

"You shouldn't be so flippant," Gen chided mildly, as if genuinely concerned for Leolin.

"I don't need a lecture on the dangers of Adrian Pucey, thank you," Leolin said tartly.

"Don't you?"

"No," Leolin shot back. "I don't. I know him a hell of a lot better than you do."

"Well isn't that part of the problem?" Gen asked sweetly.

"Genevieve," Ginny snapped. "Lay off."

"That's enough," Draco added sternly.

"Who are you talking to?" Gen demanded. "Her or me?"

"Both of you," he replied, though it was abundantly clear he meant the latter more than the former.

"Sod this," Leolin said, turning away. "I don't have the patience for her today."

"Lefevre—" Draco began, but Leolin ignored him, turning on her heel.

Felix, like an obedient pup, followed.

""If you need ammunition," he offered helpfully. "Just say the word. I could tell you stories about Gen that would make your hair curl."

"My hair is already curly, thank you," Leolin said. "And thinking about you and Gen in bed together makes me want to bathe in bleach and take a vow of chastity.

Felix shrugged, and seeing Max he nodded and headed over. Leolin gave the latter a cool look he returned. She turned away, wholly uninterested in speaking to him when he was still so obviously intent on playing Gen's white knight. Severina had appeared, anyhow.

"Sta bene?" Leolin queried.

Severina nodded.

"Fine. The girls are—fine."

Leolin bit her lip, feeling bad all over again.

"Me despiace, Severina mia," she said, tucking some ebony hair behind Severina's ear.

Severina gave a dazzling Borgia smile in return.

"No te preocupes. They can survive without me for one day."

"Right," Tieran said as they took their seats. "Shall we begin?"

"What about Sharpe?" Ginny asked. "I thought the whole point of today was that she was going to be here."

"And so she is."

They all looked up to watch Reagan Sharpe make her entrance, a superior smile on her face as she did. The first gaze she met was Gen's, who'd been unable to hide her revulsion. Reagan winked at her in response, closing her right eye so that only her eerie green eye was left staring back at Gen.

Reagan seemed to revel in the attention she was receiving, and between her eye, her bright hair, and her provocative outfit, it was hard for anyone to look away.

She wore a tight black skirt that barely covered her bum with sheer black tights underneath, and her suede thigh-highs were so tall they practically touched her hem. Felix watched her with particular interest, his dark eyes skating wolfishly up her frame.

"Nice boots," he commented as she passed behind his chair, and she replied by using the clutch in her left hand to slap him upside the head.

"Sharpe," Ginny said. "How nice of you to make us wait."

"Punctuality isn't really my strong suit, Weasley," Reagan said. "Ask your fiancée."

She made a show of winking sensuously at Blaise, which only further inflamed Ginny.

"Enough messing about, Ray," Ieuan said impatiently. "Do you have any news?"

Reagan sank down into a vacant chair near Forest and kicked her feet up on the table.

"Jaime Quinn is still a terrible lover, just in case any of you were wondering."

"We weren't," Leolin supplied.

"Lefevre," Reagan said, eying Leolin with interested. "Nice to see you again."

"I sort of doubt it," Leolin replied.

Reagan shrugged, a smile glimmering in her good eye.

"Fair enough," she said,

"Right, seriously," Pansy said. "What have you found out?"

Reagan sobered up a little, retracting her feet to the floor before glancing around.

"It's mostly confirmation of things you lot already know," she said. "Pucey's back to square one on luring Audige out, but they seem to think it's only a matter of time. They're after something, I don't know what, but apparently once they find it it's going to be game, set, match."

"What are they looking for? Greek vessels?"

"I don't know," Reagan repeated tartly. "But I heard Jaime talking to Adrian on the floo last night. Adrian kept saying them, them, them. Whatever they're looking for, its more than one."

"I know what it is," Leolin said. "It's coins."

"Coins?" Max repeated. "I thought we were looking for pottery."

"Blimey," Reagan said casually, eying him. "Are you Max Brankovitch? You really have put together a star-studded team here, Malfoy!"

Max ignored her.

"Well I thought so to," Leolin said. "But that was before Clement's Keeper."

"Who's Clement's Keeper?" Reagan asked.

She was promptly ignored.

"So what did it mean?" Max pressed.

"Well, it's complicated—" Leolin began, and he cut her off.

"Then explain it to us like we're stupid, which clearly you think we are."

"Will you cut it out already?" Blaise snapped.

"Right," Leolin said, annoyed. "Essentially, Clement was this Muggle pope who commissioned this Last Judgment scene in the Vatican. In it, the Papal Master of Ceremonies, Biagio de Cesena, is on a boat bound for Hell."

There was a silence.

"I don't get it," Pansy announced.

"Biagio was 'Clement's Keeper'," Felix explained. "Because he kept all the records for Clement."

"So how do we know it's coins?" Blair prompted.

"Because Biagio was on the boat bound for the underworld, which is captained by Charon, who was Bones's teacher. He was the one who taught Bones necromancy," Leolin explained.

"Bones's price is just like Charon's," Felix explained. "Two coins."

"Merlin," Kelly said appreciatively. "How long did it take you to sort that mess out?"

"Awhile," Leolin admitted. "Though we didn't solve it a minute too soon, because right when we did one of Adrian's goons showed up and tried to kill us."

"How is he always able to be everywhere at once?" Ron asked. "Am I the only person who's noticed that? Not being funny, but it's completely mental."

"There is a leak somewhere," Leolin said. "There has to be. We need to find it and eliminate it."

"Oh, it's that easy, then," Max sniped.

"Will you kindly shut the Hell up?" Blair snapped. "For fuck's sake."

"What else, Sharpe?" Tieran asked, perpetually annoyed by their backbiting.

Reagan glanced at Leolin.

"Pucey's bloody desperate to get his hands on you, Lefevre," she said quietly, looking almost sympathetic.

"Tell me something I don't know," Leolin said.

"Did he call Thivierge back to the UK yet?" Draco said.

"Not that I know of. But he has that Russian girl now. Annalysse Blake, I think. She's taken the spot temporarily. Her and Tate Rawle."

Felix and Max glanced at each other meaningfully, but no one seemed to notice.

"What's her story?" Ginny asked. "I've never heard of her until now."

"She just came out of the woodwork," Reagan said. "But she's a serious handful. She's not nearly as nasty as Thivierge, but she's no picnic, either."

"She's Russian?" Severina said. "That's odd. They aren't ones to stick their business in anything this far West."

"No," Reagan said, trying to remember. "I think she's technically American. Or she's technically Russian, but he dad was a diplomat so she grew up in the States somewhere. I want to say Philadelphia, but I'm not entirely sure."

"What else do we know about her?" Severina said.

"She has a Russian's foul temperament," Reagan said. "Though between her and Thivierge, she's the calm one. She's not one to stomp around; I get the sense she is more into sulking and throat-slitting. I don't know, I'm getting all this second-hand from Quinn. I haven't seen Adrian directly yet and I'd like to keep it that way."

"So Thivierge is out of play for now," Blaise said. "That's good. Though at some point he's going to call her back here whether they find Audige's weak spot or not."

"How's that going, by the way?" Kelly asked. "Dare I ask what kind of havoc he's wreaking with those slaver's chains?"

"I don't think so, no," Severina said tightly. Only Leolin knew her well enough to understand how guilty Severina felt for giving a weapon to a monster.

"Where did he get this Thivierge, anyway?" Pansy said. "It feels like she came out of nowhere, too."

"Adrian recruited her straight out of Hogwarts," Draco said, his look darkening.

"Seduced her, more like," Ginny said contemptuously.

"Ugh," Grace said. "Is there anyone he won't try and sleep with?"

"If there is," Leolin said bitterly. "We've yet to run across her."

"Thivierge," Blair said, refocusing. "What's her story?"

"Recruited straight out of school," Draco repeated. "She's only nineteen, but she's a serious handful. Leolin's stepdad thinks she murdered her own father."

"Merlin's white beard," Oliver Wood said. "Where does Pucey find these people?"

"Three guesses," Forest Lawrence said sarcastically. "And the first two don't count."

"She was a Ravenclaw, if that's what you're implying," Blaise spit, and Forest curled his lip.

"Ravenclaw and Slytherin are two sides the same sickle," Seamus said.

"Oh stay out of this, Finnegan," Ieuan demanded. "You don't know a thing about either of us."

"Don't I?" Seamus bit out, and he and Forest shared a look.

"What else?" Luke pressed Reagan.

She looked at Ieuan then down at the table.

"Jaime's having drinks with the Faulkners tonight," Reagan said, sounding serious for the first time. Reagan had also dated Leon for two years when they were in school.

"No, I know them," Ieuan said. "They would never work for Adrian. Never."

"You obviously don't know them that well," Oliver pointed out.

"They could be playing double agent," Ieuan defended.

Blaise shook his head slowly.

"They would have come to us first," he said. "They're followers, not leaders."

"There was a reason we were keeping them at arms' length," Draco said. "I was worried this might happen."

"Great," Seamus said. "How are we supposed to make any progress when you lot keep betraying us?"

"Do you know who else works for Adrian? Kai Morris. And Dom Godfrey. Ryann Moody. None of them are Slytherins," Pansy said with vitriol. "In fact, two of them are Gryffs. Wake up, Finnegan! We aren't in school anymore; that's not what divides us anymore."

"She's right," Kelly said. "This has gotten bigger than Gryffindor versus Slytherin."

"What else, Sharpe?" Blaise said. "What about Quinn?" Grace asked. "Does he suspect you?"

"Jaime's lazy and vain," Reagan replied. "It's not in his nature to be suspicious. Besides, it's not really in mine to be patriotic, so he has no reason to suspect I'm paling around with you lot. I can still hardly believe it myself."

"We're so titillated you deigned to join us," Ginny sniped.

"Bite me, Weasley."

"You going to let her get away with that, Weasley?" Felix asked, smiling.

"Not now, Ren," Max demanded.

"Just trying to keep things light," Felix said.

Reagan narrowed her eyes at him.

"Who are you, anyway?"

"He's our other curse-breaker," Ieuan said.

"Felix Chaisson," Felix said suavely. "Delighted to meet you."

"I don't like him," Reagan announced, narrowing her eyes.

"Well you don't have a choice, so deal with it," Blaise said.

"How do we know we can trust you?" Reagan continued.

"In my defense, dear lady," Felix said, eyes sparkling. "Of the two of us, I'm the only one not sleeping with the enemy."

Reagan wrinkled her nose.

"You wretched little ferret," she seethed. "I should make you pay for that."

"You're more than welcome to try," Felix said, tone still exceedingly pleasant. "I'm not as nice as I seem."

"Are you threatening me?" Reagan demanded, drawing her wand and kicking back her chair.

Max and Felix both rose and drew theirs.

"Only because you threatened first," Felix said, dark eyes dancing across Reagan's face.

"Enough!" Leolin said, rising as well. "Put your bloody wands away. This isn't the time for a pissing match."

"Wouldn't be much of a match," Felix said casually, gesturing below his belt with his eyes.

"Is he serious?" Reagan demanded. "I'll rip off your todger and slap you across the face with it!" she seethed.

"Just ignore him Sharpe, Merlin!" Leolin gave Felix a cold look and he sobered up a little. "Everyone else does."

"Right, enough of this rot," Tieran said, frustrated. "Did you overhear Jaime say anything about the minister? His plans? Anything."

Reagan gave Felix another disapproving glare before turning to Tieran.

"Nothing," she said. "I'm sorry. Jaime's Adrian's man, not Lucius's. I don't think he's ever even met the minister. To be honest, I don't know how much help I'm going to be with all this. Jaime's on the peripheral. Everyone knows he's rubbish at keeping his mouth shut, and I don't think Adrian really trusts him."

Luke raised his eyebrows.

"Clearly with good reason," he said softly.

At this point the doors swung in to admit Harry, and behind him trailed a fetching Asian woman. Her dark hair was stylishly dyed ombré, the black roots fading from brunette to copper to platinum at the tips, which brushed her tiny waist. She accentuated her sloping eyes with an elegant cat eye and long false lashes. Her pert mouth, which was currently fashioned into an imperious smirk, was blood red. She wore a tasteful black dress with a mesh cut out to the waist, hitting at cleavage without actually showing any. She had large pillowy fake breasts underneath, and the way she held herself suggested she was very proud of them. Her long almond shaped nails where painted a matte black, and she wore what looked like a diamond engagement ring on her right hand. Like most women of her pedigree, it was almost embarrassingly large.

Leolin took one look at her and stood, snarling.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" She growled "Get the hell out."

"Relax, Lefevre," she said coolly in a clipped Londoner's accent. "I came to help you."

"We don't need your help," Ginny sneered, standing and drawing her wand as well.

"That's not what I hear," the woman purred.

"Sorry," Max said, half in appreciation and half in agitation. "Who are you?"

She gave Felix, who was trying and failing not to ogle her, a seductive smirk.

"My name's Isabel Lorde," she said. "I went to Hogwarts with this lot."

"Lorde?" Blaise repeated contemptuously. "The last I'd heard you still hadn't changed it back from Pucey."

"What? I'm confused," Felix said, still eying Isobel somewhat hungrily.

"She's Adrian's ex wife," Draco said stonily. "Isn't that right, Is?"

"Emphasis on the ex," she said, frowning for the first time.

Kelly was already shaking his head and standing, too.

"Get out," he snapped, giving Leolin a latently protective glance.

"You don't even want to hear what I have to say?" She goaded nastily.

Leolin was staring hatefully.

"How dare you come in here still wearing that ring, you foul little bitch," she seethed.

"Why shouldn't I?" She snapped back, wiggling her finger so it sparkled. "It's a beautiful ring."

"Don't make me regret helping you, Harry warned her, and she shrugged.

"I'm not going to apologise," she said imperiously. "Least of all to you."

This was directly at Leolin. Having had enough, Leolin lunged at her, and Kelly caught her by the waist just in time.

"She's not worth it," he told her as she struggled against him, and Isobel watched in amusement.

Draco was glaring now. His eyes were fierce and his gaze protective.

"Wipe that look off your face before I do it for you," he said in cool voice, casually twirling his handsome wand through elegant fingers.

At this, Isobel did stop smiling. It seemed that like her ex-husband, she harboured a healthy fear of Draco.

"How could you bring her here?" Ginny snapped at Harry.

"She's right, Gin," Harry said resolutely. "She can help us."

"No," Leolin said derisively. "She can't. In fact, she's part of the reason we're in this mess in the first place."

Isobel crossed her arms across her pillowy chest, and as she did, the obscene diamond on her right hand winked. Leolin imagined Adrian presenting it to her on one knee and she grit her teeth.

"And how's that, then?" Isobel sneered.

"You set him off," Leolin accused. "He was a powder keg, and you lit the fucking fuse."

Isobel cocked an eyebrow nastily.

"Said the black pot to the kettle," she sniped, and Leolin flushed scarlet.

"Don't you dare compare me to you. I'm not the one who married him. I'm not the one who cheated on him and stole all his money in the divorce. I am not you."

"Maybe not," Isobel agreed. "But don't for one second pretend like you didn't have a hand in this. You don't think Adrian talked about you? You're a spoiled, nasty, selfish little brat, Lefevre, and you were petty and vindictive just because you could be. Just because Daddy and Uncle Blaise were always there to have your back."

Both Draco and Blaise glowered at her, and she met their gaze evenly. Her eyes then flicked back to Leolin and grew cold again.

"Who wouldn't hate you after eight years of that? I certainly do, no matter how I feel about Adrian. As for marrying him," she paused to fiddle with the ring. "We did love each other, in our way."

"In our way?" Kelly repeated contemptuously. "Spare us, Lorde."

"Back to the question at hand," Pansy said in a hard voice. "Why should we trust anyone who's willing had sex with our enemy?"

Isobel bared her pearly teeth at her new challenger. However, after considering for a moment, she turned her glittering amber gaze on Grace and gave a nasty smile.

"Well that doesn't seem particularly fair, does it, Gracie?"

Grace flushed.

"Nobody calls me that anymore," she said in a quiet voice, cheeks pink.

Isobel ignored her, instead making a show of looking around at everyone, eventually letting her gaze rest on Harry.

"Oh Gracie!" she said cheekily. "Don't tell me you never told your poor husband? Or Parkinson, at the very least!"

Grace looked ashamed.

"Please," she pleaded. "Just stop."

Isobel wasn't finished.

"And it wasn't just a one-time thing, was it, Gracie? It went on for almost a year! Should I tell everyone what Adrian said you like in bed? Potter and I can compare notes."

Grace was close to tears now, and she glanced fearfully at Leolin. Despite their newfound friendship, Leolin couldn't deny how bitterly this news ached. She thought of the Hell Adrian and Grace had rained down on her their last year at school, and it made her a little sick to imagine them shagging then laughing themselves sick at her expense. Still, Isobel's jabs had hit their mark, and Leolin had to admit that some of the torture Adrian had inflicted the final year was recompense for her harsh treatment of him the previous six. She caught Grace's eye.

"I'm sorry," Grace mouthed.

"So am I," Leolin mouthed back.

"Right," Harry said sternly, wrapping a protective arm around his wife's shoulders. "That's enough, Lorde."

Isobel sneered.

"Then all of you stop pretending like I'm the only woman who's ever succumbed to that man's charms."

"Lorde's right," Max interjected. "You're all acting like dicks." This seemed at least partially directed at Leolin, who rolled her eyes. However, Draco came immediately to her defense.

"Stay out of this, yank," he sneered. "You don't know a thing about it."

"I know enough," Max shot back. "And from what I've heard, this isn't Lorde's fault. If Pucey's pushing on Lefevre, we need to start pushing back."

"Easy for you to say!" Leolin said indignantly. "Considering he's not trying to ram his cock down your throat."

"Leolin, please!" Gen said in perfectly-feigned shock. She'd finally seen her opportunity to pounce on Leolin, especially knowing Max would back her up. "That was so vulgar."

"The same goes for you," Leolin snapped at Gen. "You have no idea how this feels."

"Well!" Isobel said, sinking down into a vacant chair next to Flex, letting him eye her discreetly again. "I think we've established you need my help after all."

There was silence, and her smirk widened.

"That's what I thought."

"First things first," Tieran said. "What is it you want in return for your help?"

Her expression grew grave.

"I want you to help me disappear." Here she glanced at Draco, who had the most influence and means to help her do so. "Adrian came calling the day the minister promoted him, and he took almost everything back."

"Cry me a river," Reagan said in a bored voice.

Isobel ignored her and continued.

"I think at the time he was preoccupied and was satisfied with turning me out and humiliating me. Now he's back in London, but he's so obsessed with Lefevre that I've been able to keep a low profile. Still, Adrian's not one to forgive and forget, and I know some day he's going to come after me. I intend to be long gone by then."

"You're afraid of him," Hermione observed quietly, speaking for the first time.

"Aren't you?" Isobel said in a meek voice, glancing at Leolin. "If you aren't, you should be."

"Was he violent with you?" Hermione asked, and Leolin's wrist just ached at the thought.

Isobel pursed her lips.

"No," she said tersely. "But he certainly has a way with unkind words."

"If we do this for you," Kelly said. "What is it specifically you're going to give us in return?"

Isobel considered Kelly, swishing the diamond on her finger back and forth as she did so.

"You lot think you know Adrian, but you don't; not like me. I know how he thinks, what motivates him. I also have an item I suspect you'll need if you want to beat him to whatever little trinket he's after."

They all exchanged tense glances. This was all intel they sorely needed.

"Go on then," Ron Weasley piped. "Out with it."

She gave a glittering smile that lit her whole face up.

"Adrian has very few people in this world he genuinely cares for, but as the only woman he's ever loved, I can tell you where to hit him where it hurts."

Ginny considered this.

"Tommy," she said at last.

Isobel nodded.

"Who's Tommy?" Blair queried.

"Adrian's little brother," Draco supplied.

"He's five years younger," Isobel explained. "When Adrian's parents died, Tommy was only fourteen, and Adrian took full guardianship of him. He practically raised Tommy. He's Adrian's weakness."

"No," Blaise said at once. "We're not stooping to his level. Besides, haven't you already proven taking things from him doesn't work?"

Isobel's eyes flashed behind her coloured contacts.

"Before you get all noble defending Tommy," she snapped. "You ought to hear the whole story. Your sweet friend Merys Rhydderich?" She said to Leolin.

"Gareth's little sister?" Blair said darkly.

Isobel nodded.

"About two years ago, Tommy developed this outrageous fancy for her, and thanks to you three," she gestured to Leolin, Draco, and Blair. "Big brother Gareth wasn't there to protect her."

"Why?" Felix asked. "What did you do?"

"Because of Malfoy and his team of snarling barristers," Isobel explained tartly. "Gareth was busying serving a six year sentence in Azkaban."

"Merlin," Felix breathed, eying Draco's cool look. "For what?"

"None of your sodding business," Draco sneered, diamond eyes flashing. "That's what."

"No," Max snapped. "That doesn't work for me."

"Is that supposed to sway us?" Severina demanded. "Affanculo."

"No," Gen said in feigned distress. "Maximus is right. If you expect us to decide what to do about Tommy Pucey, we need all the facts."

"She's got a point, Lefevre," Reagan said sympathetically.

"Stay out of this, Sharpe," Ginny growled.

"Leolin," Blair began protectively. "You don't have to ans—"

"He raped me," Leolin said in a flat voice. "When I was fourteen he got me legless at a party and took advantage of me."

Everyone bowed their heads and looked ashamed, even Isobel and especially Gen.

"That enough information for you, Brankovitch?" Leolin said softly.

"I'm sorry, Lefevre," he said penitently. "I didn't know."

"That's exactly my point," she said. "Just because we slept together one time doesn't mean you have me all figured out. What you lot know about me couldn't fill a sodding thimble."

Max looked down at the table, thoroughly cowed.

"What about Tommy and Merys, then?" Grace asked.

"Well Merys, smart little thing that she is, wanted nothing to do with Tommy, and when he started getting aggressive she went to Lefevre's stepdad James for help. Even without his auror's badge he had no trouble scaring the Puceys off, and they immediately backed down. By then it seemed sorted, and I honestly think Merys forgot all about it. Tommy didn't, though. He's just like his big brother; he's not one to let things go. About eight months after James went after him, Tommy had Tate Rawle slip something powerful in Merys's drink on a night out and separate her from her friends. When she was well and properly fucked up, Tate brought her back to the Em, where Tommy proceeded to strip her naked and fuck her on the bar while everyone else stood around and laughed."

There was a somber silence.

"Still want to protect him?" Isobel sneered at Blaise.

Max and Felix exchanged a dark look, clearing storing this information for a later date.

"If you want my opinion," Isobel said evenly. "I think you should hunt Tommy down and kill him."

"You don't think that's just going to fuel the fire?" Kelly asked.

"Maybe if it were someone else," Isobel conceded. "Someone he likes and trusts, like Tate or Thivierge. But their deaths would only hobble him, and he'd recover quickly. Tommy's different. If he dies, I guarantee it will break Adrian's heart. You do that, you buy yourselves some serious time to catch up to him."

Draco and Leolin traded a look, and she knew they were thinking the exact same thing. Draco longed to kill Tommy for no other reason than making Adrian suffer for everything he had done to Leolin and everything he still longed to do. Leolin would have been lying if she'd said some dark part of her heart didn't want the same thing.

"You said you have something to show us?" Tieran said, and everyone seemed relieved to change the subject.

She nodded.

"Besides the flat in London, one of the best things I got in the divorce was this charming little summer home that had belonged to Adrian's mother."

"Merlin," Reagan breathed. "You really are despicable."

"Yes," Isobel said caustically. "Poor, poor Adrian."

'She's got a point there," Felix pointed out, seemingly keen to win a bit of favour with Isobel. She gave him an approving smile.

"Besides," Isobel snapped at Reagan. "It's not like he didn't get it all back in the end. That house was the first thing he came for."

"How devastating for you," Reagan replied.

"Whose team are you on, Sharpe?" Max demanded.

"Team 'suck my cock', Brankovitch."

"Ray," Ieaun said, trying to keep the peace."

"Right," she huffed. "Fine. Whatever. Then what?"

"Well about six months ago, I realised I'd left something there that my mother gave me, and I wanted it back. By that time Adrian was going to America for weeks at a time, so I just waited for him to leave and headed over there. The trouble was, I couldn't find it. The house was gone."

"What are you suggesting?" Blair said. "It just sprouted legs and wandered off?"

"No," Isobel sneered. "I'm suggesting that he decided, for some dark reason or another, to make the house unplottable."

They all traded meaningful looks. Isobel, ever the perceptive Ravenclaw, continued.

"Heard your stepdad went missed a few months ago, Malfoy," she said evenly. "I wonder where on Earth he could be."

"Where is this place?" Draco replied.

"Berkshire," she said. "About seventeen miles from London. But that's not all. I did some renovations when I first moved in."

"Bitch," Reagan muttered.

"Can it," Max ordered.

"So I had blueprints made up."

"Tell me you kept them," Blaise said.

"As a matter of fact," she said, producing several scrolls from her bag. "I did. I had every intention of getting the place back one day, and I knew I wouldn't want to hire another architect."

"Oh Merlin," Pansy growled.

Leolin wordlessly extended a hand for them, and Isobel obliged. Leolin unfurled them and tapped with with her wand, and the plans slithered from the parchment onto the table so everyone could see them. She glanced at Draco, then at Felix. She knew they were all thinking the exact same thing. This was a task for La Genie. Judging by the chateau's size, they would only need a five man crew. Draco, Leolin, Felix, Effie, and couldn't be more perfect if they'd planned it.

Leolin flicked her wand and the plans sprang back onto the parchment, which she re-rolled and vanished into her cache of hidden objects. If anyone thought this was odd, they gave no indication of it.

"I told you you needed my help," Isobel said smugly.

Leolin clenched her jaw but said nothing.

"Thank you," Tieran said diplomatically. "We needed this."

Isobel gave Felix another glittering smile, which he readily returned.

"Right," she said. "You're welcome. And as a parting good will gesture, I have one more free piece of advice for you: if you really want to make headway, you need a man on the inside."

"Are you volunteering?" Kelly said.

Isobel pursed her lips.

"No," she said. "After today, I have no intention of seeing any of you ever again."

"It's impossible," Blaise said. "Adrian's not stupid. He'd never believe any of us if we claimed to flip."

"True," she conceded. "But he needs someone in your camp just as badly as you need one in theirs."

"What are you proposing?" Severina prompted.

"You don't send someone in. You let Adrian catch one of you, let him torture you and think he's broken you. Once you get through that, your inside man could feed false information back and get valuable intel in return."

"Torture them?" Hermione repeated. "Isobel, that's barbaric."

"This is war, Granger," Isobel said grimly. "If you aren't willing to make some sacrifices, you lot don't have a prayer of winning."

Isobel turned to Draco.

"You send in a skilled occlumens and they will be able to withstand the pain and the desire. It won't be pretty, but it's doable. I know you know that, Malfoy."

"Easier said than done," Max pointed out. "You're looking at the only accomplished occlumens in this room, and we can sacrifice Malfoy."

Isobel considered, shrewd tactical mind working. Finally she turned to gaze at Leolin.

"So send Lefevre in. Adrian won't be keen to hurt her, and she could just pretend to break easily. All she'd need to do is withstand a bout of the Imperius. Two at the most."

"How can you even suggest that?" Ginny croaked. "You know what he wants to do to her."

"Like I said," Isobel intoned in a sober voice. "Sacrifices."

"Stop," Gen choked unexpectedly. Her throat was strangled by genuine emotion. "That's barbaric and you know it."

Isobel shrugged.

"Then you're back to square one, then."

"No," Kelly said. "We're not. I'll do it.

"What?" Leolin said, heart hammering in her ears. "No!"

"Don't be bloody noble, KT," Forest said. "Weasley's right; you could die."

Kelly's face was white as a sheet, and he'd clasped his hands together to keep them from shaking.

"I know none of you think I can pull this off, but I can."

"Shut up," Draco said, rolling his eyes. "I don't have time for this drivel."

"It can't be someone like you," Kelly pointed out. "And I know what everyone thinks about me. I know you think I'm self-righteous and weak, and so does Adrian."

"You are self-righteous and weak," Draco snarled. "And if you fail, you'll blow this whole bloody thing to kingdom come."

"He's right, Kel," Leolin said softly. "You're not a soldier."

"My grand-da was an auror," Kelly said, looking at Oliver, who must have known this. "He taught us Occlumency when we were wee. I've been practicing it all my life."

"It's true," Olive said. "I've seen him do it. He's brilliant at it."

"You honestly expect us to believe that?" Draco demanded.

"Yes," Kelly said solidly. "I do, because it's the truth."

"Then prove it," Draco said, standing and drawing his wand. With a flick of his wrist the entire table disappeared, leaving no barrier between him and Kelly.

Kelly, who'd sat directly across from Draco, stood as well, his face still pale but resolute.

"Go on, then," he said. "Do your worst."

"Are you mad?" Leolin cried, stepping between the two of them so Draco's wand was pointed at her instead. "Absolutely not."

"Bloody Hell, here we go," Ron muttered.

"Leolin," Blair said gently. "Malfoy's got a point. We need to know if Kelly can take it."

"You're going to let Malfoy crucio your best friend? Blair, he might kill him!"

The look in Draco's eye was making Leolin grow fretful. She knew her interference was only making it worse for Kelly, but someone old and forgotten was welling up, and she refused to move from where she stood.

"Who's going to do it, then?" Draco asked coldly. "You?"

"It's not like I haven't done it before," she spit back, feeling like a wounded animal. "You should know that better than anyone."

"Damn," Felix said softly. "This must have been one fucked-up love affair."

"Stow it," Ginny demanded, and he fell silent.

Leolin could feel tears burning in her throat as everyone watched them. She noticed Gen standing behind Draco looking upset, and for once Leolin wished she would intervene. However, she seemed to sense that there would be no dissuading Draco, and she remained silent.

"It's alright, Lai," Kelly breathed softly. "I'm stronger than you think."

Leolin looked at Draco, and she could see him wrestling with the same demons she was. They both knew how the Crucio ate the caster. She didn't want that for Draco any more than she wanted to watch Kelly suffer it's effects.

"Don't do this," she said softly to Draco. "It's misguided and wrong."

"Step aside, Lefevre," he said softly, a danger glinting in his light eyes.

"Please, Draco," Leolin said. "I'm begging you; don't do this."

"It has to be done, Lefevre," Tieran said. "Now step aside."

"No," Leolin said. "Isobel's right. Just let me go."

Draco gave her a searing, damaged look.

"Don't even say that."

Leolin turned to look at Kelly, and she saw fear in his face. However, he nodded bravely.

"Kelly, please," she said softly. "Don't do this."

"It's alright," he said. "I'll be fine."

Leolin bit her lip but eventually nodded, going to stand in Blair's secure embrace as Draco rolled up his sleeves.

"A standard bout of torture is four rounds of crucio, ten seconds each," Draco said, voice razor sharp. "After the first bout, I try to imperius you. If you resist me, we go again. Resist me after the second round, and we go again. Resist me after the third round, and you pass. Ready?"

Kelly clenched his jaw, visibly afraid. He squared up.

"Fire away."

"Crucio!"

Leolin buried her head in Blair's chest as the first scream was ripped from Kelly's throat. After what seemed like eternity his screams stopped.

Draco raised his wand again.

"Crucio!"

This time Kelly bent double, the veins in his neck protruding as he fought not to make a sound. After the third time he fell to the floor, tears in his eyes.

"This is so awful," Ginny said, curling against Blaise.

"Don't look," he said.

After the fourth time, Kelly lay panting on the ground, and Draco pointed the tip of his wand at the broad plane of Kelly's back. Leolin could see the conviction waning in his eyes. As much as Draco hated Kelly, he was not his father; this was clearly killing him. Leolin yearned to go to him and take the wand from his hands. Instead she remained rooted to the spot, feeling sick to her stomach.

"Imperius," Draco whispered.

They all watched as the curse seemed to wash over Kelly, relaxing the knot work of muscles in his back. Kelly sat up and looked straight at Draco.

"Kiss my boots, Troy," Draco said in a tight voice.

Kelly looked down at Draco's feet before lumbering to his own.

"Fuck you," he spit out.

"Crucio."

Leolin could see that Draco had long since burned off the hatred he bore Kelly, and the Cruciatus was now feeding on his self-loathing instead. With every scream Kelly gave, Leolin watched a small piece of Draco die.

"You don't have to keep doing this," Leolin demanded. "What is this achieving?"

"Leolin, stop," Blair said.

"Can't you see it's killing both of them?" Leolin demanded, looking to Gen for support.

"You don't have to stay, Lefevre," Draco said, watching as Kelly lay gasping at his feet.

"Imperius."

Again Kelly fell still.

"Kiss my boots, Troy," Draco demanded again.

Leolin could see the muscles in Kelly's neck straining as he fought the Imperius.

"You first," he wheezed.

"Crucio."

"Draco, you could kill him!" Leolin said. "Look at him!"

"Lefevre, stop!" Max said. "You have to trust Malfoy to know what he's doing."

"Leolin's right," Hermione said, covering her mouth as Kelly screamed again. "This is so barbaric! Stop already!"

Draco finally let up his wand after the third bout, a monstrous sadness welling in his eyes.

"Imperius," he whispered, and Kelly collapsed flat onto his back, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Leolin made to go to his side, but Blair held her back.

"Kiss my boots, Troy," Draco demanded, and Kelly rolled labouriously onto hands and knees.

"Don't tell me he's going to do it after all that," Reagan said, horror-striken. "This is sick."

Finally Kelly was huddled in a pathetic heap at Draco's feet.

"Go on, Kelly," Draco goaded, his voice tight and pained. "Do it."

Kelly raised his head to look at the gleaming leather before dropping his forehead onto the oak boards of the floor.

"No," he whispered. "I won't."

Everyone let out a stale breath, and Blair relinquished his grip on Leolin so she could melt to the floor at Kelly's side. Draco watched the scene with tortured gaze, and Leolin was only able to catch his eye for a second before he all but fled from the room.

---

Hours later, Leolin sat cross-legged on her bed, staring blankly at the blueprints. She knew she ought to be planning the rescue, Draco and the others were counting on her, but she simply had too much on her mind. It was painful to admit, but everything Isobel had said had been true. She had been unkind, and now she was reaping what she'd sown. She thought of Kelly lying flat on his back in agony and Draco's anguish as the Cruciatus ate away at him, and she felt a cold, crushing guilt.

Perhaps Isobel was right; perhaps she ought to go instead. This was her fight, after all, she'd picked it, and it seemed unfair to let Kelly finish it for her or die trying. It was true Adrian would go easy on her. He was more interested in posessing her than he was hurting her. And besides, it wasn't as if she'd never done something like this before. She thought of Lucius's teeth raking across her skin and Christian's hands roaming her body and she shuddered. Still, if this was the path to victory, to freedom, to Draco, she ought to suck it up and take it. She would just have to do what she'd always done; detach and simply become someone else entirely.

She groaned. She needed advice. She wished Severina was still here. However, she'd all but fled the manor when the meeting adjourned, promising Leolin she would see her in Bamberg for the world cup if not before. Leolin thought of Isa's anguish and the pain in Xavier's eyes and she felt guilty all over again.

She mulled the Kelly dilemma over again, weighing it against the sickingly idea of voluntarily going to bed with Adrian. She bit her lip. She needed counsel. She considered calling Severina, but it was half one in Rome, and she knew if Severina wasn't already asleep, she would be making love to Xavier.

Blaise and Ginny, then. She knew they'd rejected it outright, at least initially, but Ginny was probably the only other soul on Earth who understood Leolin's love for Kelly. If anyone was going to understand her need to spare him, it was Ginny. As for Blaise, he would be extremely resistant, but ultimately Leolin knew he would defer to Ginny.

Labouriously Leolin rose, padding softly to Ginny and Blaise's room. The door was slightly ajar, and she could hear voices from within. She dropped her hand from knocking.

Ginny was lying flat on her back, Blaise smiling beautifully down at her as he drew soft circles on her bare stomach.

"Ginevra Weasley," he breathed, tucking a strand of copper hair behind her ear. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

Ginny rewarded his question with a kiss.

"I love you," she replied. "You are the greatest and best thing that has ever been mine. I hope you know that."

"I do," he said, pushing his forehead to hers. "Thank Merlin for you. I look at Leolin and Draco and I feel so lucky. I can't imagined being seperated from you like that."

"I know," Ginny said, and Leolin's heart clenched painfully. "She's the bravest woman I've ever known."

"We have to do something," Blaise said. "Before it's too late."

"I know," Ginny agreed. "We will."

Leolin, having by this time lost her nerve, backed away from the door. She knew they meant well, but their pitying, hopless tones were making her heartsick. However, as she trudged back to her own room, she still felt restless. She yearned to go to Draco, but she didn't have it in her to spar with Gen. Her mind wandered to Felix instead. She ought to go to him.

She reached his door several minutes later and knocked, but he didn't answer. Still, she could hear movement beyond the door, so she knocked again. Just as she was going to knock a third time, the door burst open and he gave her a dazzling smile. She noted that he kept the door opened only wide enough to admit his slender body. His hair was a mess, sticking up in every direction, and he wasn't wearing a shirt.

"Bichette!" he cried jovially. "What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here?"

"I—" she began, frowning at his odd behaviour. "Is this a bad time?"

"What?" he said, giving an over zealous laugh. "No, of course not! Why would you ask that?"

"Then may I come in?" she said.

"Oh!" he said, laughing again. "Well, I'm actually headed to bed."

"It's not even eleven," she pointed out suspicously.

"I know," he said. "But it's been a long weekend. Besides, I'm still on Canadian time."

"They are six hours behind us," she pointed out.

"Oh!" he laughed a third time. "Right, well you know what I mean! Traveling always messes with your sleep schedule."

"Listen," she snapped. "Not to be pushy, but this is important. I just need five minutes."

Before he could stop her, she shouldered to door open, and her face fell as she took in Isobel Lorde lying completely naked on the bed. There were clothes strewn all about the suite, including a pair of wantonly red knickers that lay a foot from Leolin. It was exceedingly clear they'd already have sex more than once.

"Oh my gods!" Leolin squealed, shielding her eyes and spinning around.

"Oh don't be such a prude, Lefevre!" Isobel goaded. "We're all adults here!"

"Fuck you," Leolin snapped, eyes still closed. "And you ought to get your galleons back for those horrid fake knockers."

"They were a gift from Adrian," Isobel spit, clearly intent on torturing Leolin one last time. "He can't resist a good handful. You can look forward to that when he finally gets his hands on you."

"Isobel!" Felix admonished fiercely.

Leolin whipped around.

"You fucking bitch."

She finally turned attention to Felix and gave a hurt frown.

"Leolin please!" he said, grabbing her wrist lightly.

"Don't," she snarled. "Touch me."

With this she took off, and he was hot on her heels, trying to struggle into a shirt as he ran.

"Wait, bichette, please!" he called, follwoing her down the grand staircase and out into the back garden. "Just let me explain!"

"No!" she cried, shoving him so hard he stumbled back several steps. "Go away. Leave me alone."

"Can't we at least talk?"

"I have nothing to say to you," she snapped. "Nothing."

"Why are you jealous?" He demanded in frustration. "You said you weren't interested in me!"

"Jealousy?" she repeated incredulously, shoving him roughing again. It made wrist ache, but she ignored the jolt of pain. "You honestly think that's what this is about?"

"Isn't it?"

"No, you sodding prick!"

"Then I don't understand why you're mad at me!"

"How can you not know the answer to that?" she demanded.

"Enlighten me, then."

"Do you not see what she represents to me?"

"This is about Pucey again? Leolin, how is that in any way fair?"

"She set him off!" she cried.

"Well from what I've heard," he said, getting heated now. "So did you!"

She stopped as if he'd struck her. It stung as bad or worse than a physical slap.

"Leolin," he said, immediately. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that. That came out wrong."

"Six months," she said in response. "Six months the two of them were married, and in that six months she cheated on him, humiliated him, took him to court, and wiped him out. She ruined his fucking life, and it was only by the grace of Draco's sick father that he gained any of it back. You know what he gave her in return? 'Unkind words'. You know what he gave me?"

She dropped the glamours on her wrist and face. The black eye had faded to lilac and pale yellow, though it was still visible, and her wrist was an angry violet, the bone still set at the slightest incorrect angle.

Felix's face went white.

"Leolin—"

"No," she grit out through tears. "Stay the hell away from me. I never should have trusted you. You're fucking despicable."

"I didn't know—" he defended gently, grabbing her wrist reflexively.

She yanked it away, hissing in pain and cradling it protectively to her chest.

"Leolin," he pleaded penitently, trying to touch her battered cheek. She slapped his hand away.

" ' . Just leave me the hell alone."

Finally, he acquiesced, looking ashamed as he slunk away, allowing her to sink down on a bench and put her head in her hands.

---

Draco stood staring out the window, watching Leolin at the lake's edge. He had been on the deck smoking when she and Chaisson had burst into the garden, arguing heatedly. Finally Felix had given up and left, and Leolin had sunk down on a bench and begun to cry. Seeing her so distressed tugged at Draco, and he didn't know if he wanted to go to her and hold her and rip Chaisson's beating heart from his chest and smash it down his throat.

Suddenly, he felt arms sliding around him as a cheek pressed to his back, and he started.

"Gen?" he said.

"She wishes," came the reply, and Draco smiled wryly, rotating and opening his arm so Ginny could tuck more fully underneath it.

"You sneaky devil," he murmured appreciatively as she hugged him tightly.

"I didn't sneak up on you," Ginny said, laying her head on his chest. "You were just engrossed."

There was no point in being overly coy with Ginny; she knew him too didn't bother to deny it, just looked out the window again. Ginny did the same.

"She looks sad," Ginny said in a soft voice.

Draco clenched his jaw, warring with himself.

"She and Chaisson got into it," Draco explained tightly. "I don't know about what."

"Why don't you go down there and ask her?" Ginny prompted

"Gin—"

"No, Drake, listen to me. I've been quiet about this whole thing since it started, and I let Blaise speak for both of us; I regret that now. You should know what I think."

"I bet I can guess."

"Then this should be easy to hear," Ginny said, unperturbed by his resistance. "There is a reason we always end up back here, Drake. It's your heart telling you what it really wants."

"She betrayed me," Draco said, breaking away from her embrace so he could brace his arms on the windowsill. "And she's been lying to me since she got back. She's hiding something."

"Have you ever considered that she has a good reason for doing it?" Ginny asked.

"That's not enough anymore," Draco snapped, and Ginny felt her heartbeat quicken.

She could see it, almost as sure as if it had a physical form. She could see the gag working on Draco, its binding snaking around his heart and mind until he couldn't see straight.

"Do you still love her?" Ginny said bluntly.

Draco's eyes snapped to hers, and she could tell some of the haze had faded.

"What?"

"You heard me," Ginny said. "And for the record, I think you do."

"It's not about that anymore," Draco said. "I have obligations now; I'm not going to forsake them just to gamble on her."

"You're not married, yet, Drake," she reminded him softly. "And you can't deny your heart's desire forever. It will eat you up inside."

"I love Gen," he countered.

Ginny nodded.

"If you say it then I believe you. Just promise me you won't throw something sacred away because of your pride."

"This isn't about my pride," he said hotly. "You're short-sided if you think it is."

"Maybe," Ginny said. "Like I said, only you know what you're really feeling. I'm only asking you to make the right decision for you, even if it isn't the easy one."

She drove a hand into her pocket, drawing out a dazzling pendant. Draco's heart convulsed painfully as he watched the moonlight dance across the diamonds of Leolin's key.

"I think it's time I gave this back to you," Ginny said softly. "I've been holding onto it for long enough."

He made no move to take it, so she pushed it into his palm before closing it with both of her own.

"Gin—" he began but she shook her head, grabbing his cheeks and softly brushing her lips to his.

"Forgiveness isn't a weakness, Drake."

He turned his back to her, silently indicating he wanted to be alone. Reading the gesture, she nodded.

"I'll leave you alone; I know you have a lot on your mind."

She walked about halfway to the door before turning back.

"Oh," she said, as if she'd just realised something. "I almost forgot. I was cleaning the other day and I found this," she said, extending the thin disc of the pensieve. "This is yours, right?"

He nodded.

"Cheers," he said numbly, accepting it.

Ginny gave him a soft smile.

"Goodnight," she said. "See you tomorrow."

He nodded again, waiting until she'd left the room before spinning the pensieve and watching as it assumed depth. Glancing at the pendant in his hand, he tipped in head-first, unsure what was awaited him at the bottom.

At first he saw only fleeting shapes and shadows, but after a second a specific memory emerged, and he watched as the Hogwarts infirmary materialised around him. His younger self stood at the window, staring hopelessly outward.

At the sound of the door seventeen-year-old Draco didn't turn, though adult Draco did. He watched as the air shuddered for a second before revealing Leolin. She looked impossibly young and innocent, despite the worried look creasing her smooth brow. Finally, past Draco turned, and Leolin immediately flew into his arms.

"What are you doing here?" younger Draco said incredulously, brushing a hand across Leolin's cheek.

"I told you I would come back if I could."

"Where'd you get—"

"Ginny. She sent it to me."

Younger Draco nodded then detangled from her and wandered away to the window, bracing his arms on either side of it. Adult Draco watched Leolin's expression of pain as she came to embrace him, her cheek against his broad back as her arms encircled his trim waist.

"Have you talked to McGonagall?" She asked quietly.

"She came last night," younger Draco said. Draco could still remember the terror he'd felt that morning. "She's going to expel me."

"She said that?" Leolin demanded.

"She said I was lucky Cormac doesn't want to press charges in the Wizengamot. They were able to undo the memory charm. I guess he told a very moving story about how I jumped him on Saturday. Some kind of hate crime, I guess."

"Did you defend yourself?"

"I tried. She wouldn't listen to anything I had to say. She said I would get my chance today." He gave a frustrated sigh. "Not that it matters."

"Draco, please don't give up hope. I promised you that I would sort this out, didn't I? Please, just trust me one last time. Blaise and I have a plan. He's coming to speak on your behalf, and so will Pansy."

"That won't do any good!" younger Draco snapped, pushing Leolin's arms off him and pacing away. "McGonagall knows Slytherins would do anything to protect their own."

"Ginny, then," Leolin said.

"Yes, Ginny!" Draco said nastily. "Tell me, have you talked to Ginny lately?"

She looked down, and Draco felt an odd guilt welling up for the way he'd treated her. She'd come to help him, and he'd been cold and curt.

"No, I—"

"Exactly. Inter-House loyalty only extends so far. Weasley's not going to put her neck on the line for me."

"What then?" Leolin said, half-angry and half-defeated. "You're giving up?"

"What else can I do?" younger Draco said softly. "I'm going to lose everything!" He grit out, anguished. "My father was right. "No good deed goes unpunished."

"Draco, please, listen to me," Leolin said, her blue eyes glittering. "Do not give into him. I can fix this, and I will!"

"You can't!" past Draco said miserably, shaking his head and tugging at his perfect hair. "No one can. And even if I stand my ground against him, McGonagall will snap my wand, and then I have to crawl back to him in shame. It's better I at least do it while I'm still on my feet.

"That's not true," Leolin defended. At sixteen she was wise beyond her years. "Please, the die's not been cast yet, and I won't let you give up until we're sure it's over. I know this seems grim and it is, I admit it, but I'm still fighting for you." She touched his cheek. "And I won't stop. Please, I know it's not easy to relinquish control, but I am begging you, just trust me this one last time. Please, darling," she gripped the back of his neck and pulled his face close. "I love you."

Seventeen-year-old Draco slowly raised his head, and when he did, she dipped forward to capture his lips. Their tongues tangled for a moment as she kissed him desperately.

"Please," she said a last time, stroking his cheek. "Don't give up. You're better than the irons your father wants to slam you in. Let me fight for the life you deserve."

"It's a lost cause, Cal."

"Then I'm going to stay right here to defend you until the bitter end. Please, have faith in me."

They were quiet a moment, gazing intently at one another.

"Please, Draco," she whispered, and he only nodded in response.

"You should go," Draco said at last, rising to retrieve the cloak and handing it to her. "The last thing I want is for you to get mixed up in this."

She nodded and he walked her to the door, She leaned against it and looked up at him once more, and seeking silent permission and finding it in his gaze, he bent to brush his lips against hers again.

"I love you," she breathed, and younger Draco looked pained.

"You need to go," he said, but even as he did, they heard voices echoing up the stairs.

The scene began to fade even as a warm feeling crept up Draco's spine. The look in Leolin's eyes had seared him. He'd forgotten how hard she'd fought to keep him free of his father's influence, even after they'd broken up. He'd forgotten how brave she'd been, and how she'd kept the faith even when his had ran out.

A new scene was forming now, and soon he was standing in the ballroom on his eighteenth birthday. Judging by the commotion that was swirling around him, Blair Lefevre had already beaten Gareth Rhydderich to a bloody pulp. He could see Police lights flaring and healers milling about.

His younger self was striding away from the throng of healers tending to Gareth, headed to speak to the head officer in charge.

"Draco!"

Both older and younger turned to watch Leolin tear across the ballroom, her feet bare and her fancy dress hiked to her knees.

As soon as she was close enough she launched into Draco's arms, holding him as if she never meant to let go. Adult Draco felt his throat tighten uncomfortably as he watched the pair. He felt like he could still remember the sound of Leolin's heart beating in his ears as he held her that night.

"I'm sorry I was so harsh earlier," past Draco breathed. "I—I had no idea."

"How could you?" She replied, and he simply nodded, holding her closer.

"I need to go. They're charging your cousin with deadly assault if I don't get there in ten minutes."

Leolin nodded, and Draco kissed her head before starting briskly away.

"Wait, Draco! Wait!"

Adult Draco looked into her face, so warm despite what she'd endured, and he wished her could travel back and time and be in her presence again.

"What is it?" Draco said.

"Do you still have the necklace?" Leolin asked, breathless.

"The one you gave me? Yeah, I'm wearing it."

She shook her head frantically.

"The pendant! The key! Draco, do you have it?"

Confused, he produced the box from his pocket.

"Put it on me," she commanded, holding up her hair.

"What?"

"Put it on me."

He did as he was told, and when it was fastened she kissed him soundly.

"I love you, Draco Malfoy," she said. "I love you."

"That's against the rules," he breathed, dazed.

"Not anymore. I love you, Draco. We're still not together, but I need you to know after tonight that I never stopped."

The scene was shifting again, and even in the pensieve Draco could feel the actual pendant digging into his palm. A new memory was surfacing, and he was in another ballroom, this time at the Hogwarts Graduation party.

He watched his younger self scurrying through the crowd, an irate McGonagall on his heels. He craned his neck, catching a first glimpse of Leolin hurrying along the balcony.

"Mr. Malfoy!" McGonagall seethed. "Come back here at once!"

Nineteen-year-old Draco didn't seem perturbed.

"Has anyone seen Leolin Lefevre?" he called mirthfully.

Leolin was finally approaching now, and adult Draco's could hear his heart in his ears, even now. She had no idea she was about to change both their lives.

"Draco," she hissed, "what the bleeding hell are you doing here?"

"Hey Cal," younger Draco said casually as they met somewhere in the middle of the ballroom. "Sorry, I'm late. I had a little…trouble at the door. Seems McGonagall lost my invitation."

Leolin didn't smile.

"Draco, seriously, you need to leave. My parents are here. They can't see you."

Draco only smirked.

"Relax, darling. They know I'm here."

She gave him and incredulous look.

"What?" she demanded.

His smile only widened.

"My hand to Merlin."

"No," she said in disbelief. "No fucking way."

"Yes way," he said, raising his eyebrows. "Turns out your dad and I are mates now."

"What?" Leolin said. "How—" But Draco cut her off. He looked over his shoulder as McGonagall closed in. She was no more than forty-five seconds from catching up to him.

"Leolin, listen, I would love to sit here and chat about your dad, but I haven't got a lot of time."

He glanced over his shoulder, grinning mischievously.

"I still don't understand what you're doing here," she said, still half-whispering, though at this point their audience was nearly the whole ballroom. "And I can't believe that you convinced my parents to collude with you!"

"Yes, well," he said, smiling. "No one knows better than you how charming I can be. But listen, like I said, I'm on something of a tight schedule and there's something I have to say. Or rather, something I have to ask you."

"Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall seethed, readjusted her wide black hat. "This is a private party for Hogwarts alumni and their families. Seeing as you are neither of those two things, I am going to have to ask you to leave. Immediately."

"Right, of course, Headmistress," younger Draco said, smirking at her. "But first I need to ask Miss Lefevre a quick question."

"Mr. Malfoy—"

"Draco—" Leolin said through clenched teeth. "What the fuck?"

"Look, darling, I'm sorry I don't have time to give this more pomp and circumstance, but as you can see, I'm really strapped for time."

"Draco—" she repeated, but when he fell to one knee in front of her, she only gasped, her hands flying to her face.

"Leolin Marie-Therese Anastasie Lefevre," he began, producing a naked ring from his pocket. "Will you marry me?"

Despite knowing what she was going to say, adult Draco still felt his heart fluttering. They were nearly there….

"Oh my gods," Leolin blurted, and Draco felt a bit like laughing.

How had he lived through this the first time?

Finally Leolin looked up at her own version of Draco, and adult Draco felt his heart stop of a half-second. The Leolin of that exact moment was still the most exquisite creature Draco had ever seen before or since.

"It would be my honour," she choked quietly, tears welling in her eyes.

Draco fell to his knees as the memories swirled around him. He'd forgotten, forgotten just how it had been with Leolin, how she'd made him feel. He tried to think of Gen to dull the sensation, but he couldn't seem to bring one single thing about her to mind. Draco screwed his eyes shut. He ought to go to Leolin and tell her how he felt. It wasn't even that he really wanted to; he just sincerely thought he might die if he didn't.

Mind made up, he sought to pull back to reality. However, one more memory was stirring, dragging him back down.

When he reappeared, he was convinced for a whole minute he must have been in someone else's memory, because he didn't recognise the room at all. The walls were a dingy yellow and the carpets below foot a frayed and stained tan. He swirled around; where the hell was he?

He turned to see himself lying half-naked on a bed, a slaggy blonde naked beside him. He approached slowly, an ugly pit forming in his chest.

No wonder he didn't remember this; he could tell by looking at himself that he was high out of his mind. He was so high, in fact, that present Draco was surprised this memory survived with such clarity. Then again, that was the power of the pensieve.

He looked at himself closer and the pit in his chest grew. His hair was dull and unwashed, his eyes ringed with a sickly violet and lips tinged a ghostly white. He could see his own breastbone and ribs through is sallow, waxy skin, and his breathing was coming in odd rasps. Draco counted no more than six bottles of liquor strewn about the room, all near empty.

Suddenly the door burst open, and Blaise flew in, panic in his eyes. Past Draco didn't seem to notice, but the woman beside him did.

"Darling, someone's here for you," she said, biting his ear.

"Draco," Blaise demanded, green eyes glittering with tears.

Draco struggled to sit up, his eyes rolling around wildly in his head.

"Draco," Blaise repeated. "Draco," Blaise repeated, a third time. "Draco! Can you hear me! Do you know who I am?"

"Blaise," past Draco slurred. "Stop moving."

"I'm not," Blaise said.

Draco watched himself pitch up into a standing position before leaning over the bed and vomiting. It was mostly blood.

"Drake," Blaise said sternly. "I have to get you home. You're not well."

"Where am I?" Draco asked, looking pathetic and confused.

"In Riga," Blaise said.

"How did I get here?"

"I honestly don't know. But everyone is worried sick about you. I have to get you back."

"Come on," Blaise said, attempting to haul Draco up.

"No," Draco slurred. "I'm not going back."

"Everyone's worried," Blaise said. "I'm worried. Drake, you're scaring the shit out of me. How many drugs have you taken today?"

"I'm not going back," past Draco said more vehemently

"You don't have a choice," Blaise said. "We're going back."

Draco jerked his arm roughly, his elbow catching Blaise in the nose, and the latter cried out in pain. Present Draco winced as his friend began to bleed.

"I'm not going back," Draco said, drawing his wand. "I'm never going back."

"Drake," Blaise said, wiping blood from his nose. "Please. I'm begging you. If you keep on this way, you'll die."

"Good," Draco said, his eyes rolling back in his head for a second as his head grew heavy.

"This is mad!" Blaise said, reaching for Draco again.

However, Draco had gained some lucidity, and he hurled a stinging jinx at Blaise, which hit him right in the face. Present Draco winced again.

"Get out," past Draco said.

"Drake, I'm trying to help you!"

Draco threw another curse at Blaise but missed.

"I don't want your help."

Blaise, was still cradling the left half of his face, which was swollen from Draco's jinx.

"This is the last time I come after you," Blaise warned. "If I leave now, I'm not coming back for any reason."

The memory Draco saw a pill lying on the bedside table and he picked it up, washing it down with vodka.

"Fine—go."

Blaise considered before trying to help Draco as he collapsed backwards, too exhausted to keep his head up. However, as Blaise got closer, Draco blasted him back again, where he crumpled before standing labouriously.

"Get out," Draco slurred, the new pill kicking in.

"Fine," Blaise said, his voice tight with tears. "I'm done. Please don't let the next time I see you be in the morgue."

It was here that Draco finally gained control of his memories again, and he emerged from the pensieve gasping.

"Drake?" Gen asked, looking worried. "Are you alright? What were you looking at?"

Draco said nothing, only blinked several times as Gen watched him with fear in her eyes. Finally he looked up at her, vanishing the pendant into his cache without properly realising he'd done it.

"Draco," Gen repeated fretfully, looking terrified."What's going on?"

He finally looked up at her, face like etched marble.

"Drake—" she started, tears welling in her eyes now.

"Give me your ring," he interrupted, voice stony.

"What?" she said in a strangled voice, wiping at tears now. "Why?"

"Genevieve," he said gravely, extending a hand. "Give me your engagement ring."

"I don't understand!" she sobbed. "What are you doing?"

"Just give it to me," he pleaded, and she finally nodded, sniffling as she begrudgingly tugged it off and handed it to him.

He looked down at it, studying it and remembered the first time the jeweler had shown it to him.

"Draco," Gen begged, distraught. "What's going on? What are you doing?"

He looked up at her and swallowed the hempen knot in his throat. It burned all the way down into his stomach. He blinked slowly several times before falling to one knee. Gen covered her mouth with her hands, fresh tears starting, this time tears of joy.

"Genevieve," he said in a serious voice. "I was dead when I met you, and you brought me back to life. I know I've already asked you once, but after everything we've been through, I feel like I have to ask again. Will you marry me?"

She gave a relieved half-laugh, half-sob.

"Of course I will!" she squealed as he slid the ring back on. She admired it as if it was new before beaming up at him.

She grabbed his cheeks and smashed her lips to his, and his arms went instinctively around her waist, though he couldn't quite match her fervour.

"I love you," she breathed. "I love you, I love you, I love you."

"I know," he said softly, and somewhere in the annals of non-being, he could still see Leolin's key glittering in the moonlight.