Disclaimer: JKR owns all recognizable characters.

Dose of Your Own

By: OurLoveIsForever

Chapter Fifteen: Ritual

Draco strode out of the room, swearing and cursing as he went. If he had thought I would simply bow to his wishes, he was sorely mistaken. No simple coercion tactics, involving secret touches and warm caresses, were going to stop me from going through with the plan. Even if I had the feeling all would not end for the better, I still was ignoring my Slytherin instinct to hide and wait it out. I was tired of being confined. Snakes, when they are cornered, will lash out. At least, my species of snake would...

I just prayed that I had enough venom.

"He's rather antsy, isn't he?" Zabini observed, watching the Malfoy leave the ritual room. "He's never like that."

I gave the dark man an irritated glance. Since early that morning, Zabini had acted as if he knew something everyone else didn't. "Zabini, what are you looking so smug about?"

"Nothing, nothing." He chuckled, shaking his head and waving me off. I rolled my eyes at him. He had always been dramatic person, even back in school, always acting as if he knew what was going on. It was because of his seemingly flighty personality that people were lulled into a false sense of security. I didn't buy it. I never bought it. "Did you have a nice night?"

I stared at the small table where the main bit of the ritual was to be performed in a matter of minutes. I knew that Nott was due back any moment with the remainder of the items being collected from around the Manor. Zabini leered over at me. Growing irritated, I whipped out my wand, pointing it at his chest. "Zabini don't make me force you to relive that night in December your sixth year. I'm sure you remember it, am I correct?"

He froze, the lecherous expression falling from his face. I smirked. "Greengrass, you're bloody evil."

"You've doubted that?" I quipped, placing my wand back into my pocket with a self-satisfied feeling welling in my chest. I still had it, even all these years later. "It would be prudent of you to keep your stupidity to yourself. My suggestion would be to stop breathing." Zabini opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by Nott's impatient tone as he threw the door open causing a loud crack.

"Malfoy, as wonderful as I think it would be for you to simply waltz into the Ministry demanding that they aid us, it simply won't work. Now, shut up and let me do my work!"

"Don't take that tone with me, Nott, or you'll find yourself out by tea with the Carrows."

Nott rolled his eyes, neglecting to respond to the threat. Probably deeming it arbitrary, as I had. He turned to me, taking out his hickory wand and laying it beside the spread of ingredients. "Are you almost ready?"

I glanced to Draco without realizing it. He held no expression on his face. I felt nervous, so scared that I would not return, that I would fail. No one had ever actually depended on me before, something that to some extent I had been proud of. I had never been put in such a position. A defining point in my life: that was what that moment would have been referred to as. I could have said 'no'. I could have given in to the fear, but I simply wouldn't. I felt like a foolish Gryffindor, rushing into trouble. When I noticed that Nott was looking between Draco and me, I nodded my head. "I'm ready."

The table was ornate, as per the Malfoy usual. It was the darkest shade brown stain, inlaid with gold and marble adorning the surface. On top of the marble center, sat a small silver cauldron with a magical fire heating the bottom. I stood on the opposite side from Nott.

I gave Narcissa Malfoy and Tracey Davis a small smile when they entered to stand near the door. Allowing my eyes to travel from the two other women, I looked down at the book sitting beside the cauldron. It was a Dark Magic book as evidenced by the black cover and silver lining. I knew a Dark Magic book when I saw one. Growing up around my father, I truly didn't care as long as it would work. With meticulous precision, Nott dropped a few anise leaves, blood root, and elm bark into darkness within the bowl. A puff of smoke issued from the mixture within. He took a mix spoon and turned the mixture three times counterclockwise before pausing. "Zabini, hand me the unicorn blood."

I watched as Zabini popped the lid off of a small jar of silver liquid before backing away.

Nott gave me a small smile as he dropped two beads into the potion. I stared in wonder at the silver fluid. "For your protection." He explained. "There are many different variations of this spell. The one that we are using has a protection aspect for the one leaving, adds a bit of luck. There are a few that doom the one leaving to death." He continued to add ingredients. I began to only recognize a few. Hemlock and werewolf hair were just a couple of numerous additives. Nearly an hour passed, showcasing just how little I had actually paid attention in Potions. Recieving only an Acceptable in the subject, the potion was far over my head. I was feeling irritable and fatigued from standing for so long when Nott spoke at last. "Being that this is a two part spell, I need to get the potion correct before we can even proceed to the fire."

"I don't see why you have to do this. I got the better marks in Potions." Draco spat from his position across the room. He had been watching the entire hour, looking as if he wanted to kill either Nott or myself. I was unsure as to which.

"True, you recieved the better marks, but I actually earned them." Nott sighed, momentarily whipping the sweat from his brow. I bit back a laugh avoiding Draco's perturbed expression. "Besides a Malfoy cannot brew the potion, though I do need you to come here. I need your blood."

Draco pushed off the wall, almost strutting toward us. His eyes darted to me before he walked around behind to the other side. I felt his hand on the lower part of my back, far too low for a friendly touch. A shiver ran up my spine. I felt a bit irritated at his timing and leveled a glare in his direction.

"So you need my blood? It's invaluable."

Nott laughed aloud, taking the small knife in his hand. "I need you to stop being so obnoxious about all of this."

He shrugged sticking his hand out above the cauldron. Nott took it roughly, glaring at the man across from him. I watched with a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach, rolling and churning. Nott brought the knife to Draco's hand and froze. My eyes followed the knife. The two of them stared for a moment before:

"She's going whether you like it or not." Nott whispered lowly so that only Malfoy and I could hear him. I jerked my face up from staring at the knife on Draco's right hand. Nott's eyes were serious and deadly. I could see for the first time in a while the lethal glimmer in his eyes. He brought the sharp surface over the skin with an underlying viciousness. Draco didn't flinch, but I did. I didn't care for the sight of blood. My eyes closed as he squeezed his fist tightly over the potion, his gaze never leaving Nott's. I couldn't tap in to just what was being argued in between them. "We have no other choice, Malfoy."

Draco's lips pulled over his teeth into a cruel sneer before he pulled his hand away and moved away toward the corner of the room. I noticed Narcissa Malfoy walk over toward him, but my attention was diverted.

"Give me your hand, Astoria." Nott murmured softly, reaching out for my hand. I hesitantly brought it up. He glanced about, taking in his surroundings. I felt his rough hand on mine, holding it palm up as if it were made of glass. "He's my best mate. I know his faults."

I didn't say a word, keeping my face passive. Nott couldn't know-

"You do not think me so daft as to be oblivious of the way he looks at you. You are much sharper than you give yourself credit for." He drew the knife over to make small cut. Blood eased out as I cringed to the pain. It was tiny, a pin prick really, but nonetheless painful. It served as a reminder of my stupidity. Perhaps the pain was amplified by my nerves..."Astoria, do you know what—"

I allowed the blood to pool in my palm. "It's too late, I think."

He narrowed his eyes at me before turning my hand into the potion. It flashed bright green, a wave of magic bursting forth from the mixture. I stepped back, withdrawing my hand from Nott's. My head felt light, my eyes focusing and blurring from the amount of energy. Malfoy was by my side in the next moment, his hand on my lower back again. I turned sharply to look at him as the magic pulsed like a heartbeat throughout the room.

Blood magic, I thought in awe.

"You looked faint." I heard Draco whisper beside me in explanation for his close proximity.

Nott gave us a demeaning glare before reaching into the cauldron, withdrawing something that looked remarkably like floo powder. "Malfoy, you need to read the spell."

"No."

I jerked my head toward him. His jaw was set with cold, hard determination as he kept his gaze on the lanky man in front of us. I knew he wouldn't look at me, the fires of hell were burning in myeyes. There was no way that he would dare! No one could possibly be that self-centered. No one could possibly argue the same thing three times in one day!

Nott continued to pour the powder into a small vial without looking up. "You refuse then?"

Draco didn't deign answer.

Becoming vastly frustrated by both of their immature antics, I spun on the closer of the two, jabbing him in the shoulder with two of my fingers. He glared furiously at me, angered that I had laid a finger on him. Somewhere in his gaze, I found that he was a bit stunned at my audacity. "You think that will stop me? By you exerting your 'control'? I hope you learn this now and learn this quick, Draco Malfoy. I am not one of your properties. Don't ruin this chance that we have." I narrowed my eyes dangerously. He had some bloody nerve, the sodding wanker! One, perhaps two, snogging secessions and he thinks he has placed a ruddy flag in me. I placed my hands on my hips without thought. He stared at me before his lips pulled over his teeth in a fierce sneer. Somewhere outside of my tunnel vision and hearing, I heard a snort of quickly covered laughter. I could hardly see what Zabini thought was so funny!

Draco leaned forward slightly, further into my face. "Do not think yourself so important, Greengrass."

There was a new one! I took a step back pretending to be wounded in the chest, clutching at my shirt above my heart with a pained expression. "Oh, pain horrid, do stop!" I stopped and deadpanned. "Oh wait, I don't bloody care what you-"

He shook his head almost chuckling. "You've some nerve."

"Big shock, that. You just realized? Bit thick in the head, this one" I quipped.

Nott cleared his throat. Jerked out of the world between us, I turned to glance at the man. He was leaning on one leg, with his arms crossed over his chest. "While the sexual tension is making me sick, could you read the damn spell before I have to curse the both of you?" I laughed outright as Malfoy took the parchment, snatching it up with a burning glare. As he read, his eyes grew wide. "Malfoy?"

"My father used this spell."

Narcissa Malfoy's head shot up.

"To gain access to other pureblood estates, to assassinate members of other pureblood families during the War or to gain access to their minds for the Imperious."

We all froze. The War, the old backdrop of every bad thing, the black mark on all of our lives, the metaphorical scar on all of our arms. My eyes unfocused. It all seemed too easy still. I never had gut instincts, or prophetic feelings before. If I did, I wouldn't have done all the things I had in school. I was going to go through with this though. If I committed to something, I would see it through. Now was the moment of truth. Now was the moment of my judgment.

"Shall we? We have to time this just right." I said clearly, bringing the room out of the overhanging reverie. Everyone snapped to attention.

We moved to the fireplace at the far end of the room. Zabini moved to where Davis stood, her arms wrapped around herself. I looked her over for a moment. She was scared for the first time since I had re-met her. Her blue eyes shone with worry. I wondered if she felt the overbearing feeling that I felt. Before I could move to ask her, I was being guided toward the fire by Nott's hand on my arm. "Remember that you must think of your destination before you step into the fire." I heard him saying.

"Ex hic ut illic, scelero vado, obscurum, operor non deficio," Draco spoke languidly, articulating every word in fairly done Latin. I turned to face him sharply. He looked angered as he glanced from me to Nott and back, then to Nott's hand on my arm. I watched Nott throw a handful of the thick powder into the fire. As opposed to a normal floo, the flames turned a dark purple causing the remainder of the room to be filled with an eerie light. "Pro per deficio vestri vita."

I stepped toward the flames feeling everything, the dusting of my pants on my ankles, the brush of my hair on my face and neck, the warm heat of the fire. I felt as if I were stepping to my death. I was nervous, yes. I will admit to that, but I have to explain truthfully. I was terrified. I am human enough to admit my own shortcomings. I was scared when my foot stepped into the glowing plum-colored soot. I thought of my destination as I turned around in the flames. My eyes connected with silver.

He had no expression still, ever the cold stone of emotion. I gave a grin, masking my nerves for the sake of those in the dark room. "Zabini Manor!" I yelled. The room started to spin. Faster and faster. I lost sight of that head of white hair as I spun. My anchors seemed to be gone. I couldn't see anything save for a purple hue. My hair whipped in my face, blocking anything I could possibly see.

I prayed that the Carrows had not been notified of my escape by any wards in place. I prayed for many things. I prayed that I would be able to complete this impossible task. For two reasons: I wanted to succeed. I wanted to save what I had come to love. Not only Malfoy, but Nott and the others within that home. For the first time in a long while, I felt that I had a true home, somewhere to return to, something to protect, and something that I was willing to die trying to save.

All at once, the spinning stopped. Losing my balance, I fell out of a fireplace with a thump, my head connecting the table that lay just inside. My feet remained inside the thick black soot as I reached up to hold my head while it ached. I was dazed as I flipped onto my back, looking up at the ornate ceiling of the Zabini kitchen. I had made it through alive!

"Well, Miss Astoria. It is a pleasant surprise to see you here of all places."

Perhaps I had thought too soon.