A/N- Okay so I have decided there will only be two chapter after this one.
I have them planned out so I hope everyone will like them.
Chapter 3
Broken Friendships
It was April and the last four months had become almost like a trance. There was nothing in my life at Hogwarts without George. The days just seemed to be lumped together and it wasn't getting better. George and I had become much stronger after the holidays. His family finally fully trusted me, and I was happy with that. Yet everytime, I thought that his parents and family trusted me I felt guilty. I knew that my final decision was going to hurt a lot of people and I didn't know if I could bare that.
I was in the Room of Requirements with Draco, he was fiddling with the vanishing cabinet again. "Draco?" He didn't even look up at me he just grunted. Lately he had been so wrapped up in his work he didn't really pay much attention to anything. "How is your mom doing?"
He set down all of his tools he was working with and looked at me. "She isn't coping well. She doesn't like being without my father. It's the first time in over twenty years that they have been without each other. They are the only couple that had an arranged marriage that actually fell in love, no one else I know has let that happen. She misses you too." He looked at me with eyes that weren't Draco's. They were scared and lonely.
Truth be told I had stopped writing Narcissa as often as I use to. She constantly brought up me and Draco being married and I knew that I couldn't do it. I knew that my heart no longer belonged to Draco, but I didn't think she quite understood that. "I know I should write her more, but to be honest she still has hopes of us getting married but I can never bring myself to break her heart more by telling her it won't be happening."
He looked at me. I knew it still hurt him that I felt that way. He stared at me for a few moments, lately Draco had been a man of very few words. "She knows, she is already talking to other pure blooded families, but the Malfoy name is mud as of now. So she is having trouble trying to arrange any kind of marriage."
I chuckled at him. "You know, Daphne's little sister has a thing for you, and she is only two years younger!" Daphne Greengrass and I had never been all that close. She was closer to Pansy than to myself.
He smiled. Those were rare now of days. It had been at least three months since I had seen a genuine smile from Draco. "She is kind of cute, but for now I need to focus on my mission, maybe after a while I can think about dating...you know assuming I complete my mission given to me."
With that I stood up and walked over to him, I sat next to him and wrapped my arms around him. Over the last month he had made a lot of progress with the vanishing cabinet. This one was suppose to be completely busted, but he had things going to Borgin and Burkes with no problems, just getting things to Hogwarts wasn't quite right yet, but it was getting there.
We sat there with me just holding him for a while. This was the only thing that seemed to calm him down, there was nothing intimate about it. He just needed to be soothed. Draco was starting to have panic attacks and it seemed that I was the only one who knew what was going on so in turn I was the only one who could calm him down.
"Draco, you are getting closer and closer to achieving your goal. At the beginning of term, this thing was completely busted and you are so close to fixing it! You even said it should be finished by May, and then we can breath easy for a little while."
He looked at me with a dirty look on his face. "Maybe for you, but my mission won't be done. I still have to battle and kill Dumbledore. He set me up for failure, I didn't want to admit it, but he did. He wants to punish my father and he is using me to do it. I am going to die for my father's mistakes." I saw tears welling up in his eyes.
"Draco, let Snape help you. He wants to, as long as Dumbledore is dead, it isn't going to matter. Your mission will be accomplished."
Draco looked at me. "Why don't you do it if I can't." His eyes were hopeful.
"Draco, that is for Snape to do, he made the unbreakable vow."
His eyes narrowed and I saw hatred in his eyes. I just wasn't sure if it was directed at me or Snape. He looked down and composed himself again. "So that is how it is, huh?" He looked at me and waited for me to say something. "Your side has been chosen and it seems to be the wrong side."
"What are you talking about Draco?"
"Weasley has really had that much impact on you? You would betray your parents, your family...your best friend?" He was looking at me and his eyes felt like they should be shooting holes through me.
"Are you serious right now Draco? I am not betraying you, or my family. I am with you, if I wasn't why would I be here trying to help you?" I looked at him and he was silent. "I am not a traitor. I am on your side,I thought that you would know that!"
He went back to work, didn't even acknowledge what I had said and refused to look at me. I tried to talk to him, but he kept looking away and acting like he didn't hear me. "Draco, believe what you want and if you think that I am not on your side, then fine think that!"
I walked out of the room of requirements and down the corridors. It was almost curfue and we would have to be in the common rooms in a little while. I saw Ron coming up to me. "Mary, can I talk to you for a second?" He seemed nervous.
"Of course." We walked to the side of the hall. "What's up, Ron?"
He looked down at the ground for a few seconds and then looked at me. "Look, I know you are probably tired of this but I need to make sure...are you with us? I take up for you when people doubt you because I trust my brothers judgement but I just have to make sure."
"Look Ron, I would rather die then betray George. I love him and want a life with him and that is never going to change. I want everyone to trust me, but I realize that I have to earn it and not demand it and that is why I am trying to earn it." I looked at him dead square in the eye the entire time I was saying this to him. He looked at me and smiled.
"I hope what you are saying is true, because I don't know if George could handle it if you turned against us. It would be too distracting for him. That is why everyone is so concerned...if he is distracted when it comes to battling he won't be able to defend himself the way he should. And if you have been pretending this whole time, you won't have any troubles trying to kill him, but I know for a fact he couldn't attack you. This relationship has been real for him this entire time, and I just hope it's been real for you too."
I knew that Ron was trying to look out for his brother, and I respected him for that because I was the same way with Sean. I remembered my third year when Sean got involved with a fifth year girl. I gave her at least four dozen questions to answer. I knew that any good sibling would do what he was doing.
"Look, I will admit that at first it wasn't real. I was doing it to save Lucius. But after a month or so I started to really feel things for him. This relationship has been real for most of it. I love him very much. Honestly, I don't think someone could act like they care about someone for this long. I really do love him!"
Ginny was coming up to us. "Hey, we need to get back to the common room Ron. I don't want to get caught out. It's the last thing we really need. Besides you know what McGonagall said. Hi Mary."
She smiled at me. Ginny and I had always gotten along. Thankfully she was on my side from what George had always told me. "Hi Ginny, look Ron, we can continue this tomorrow if you would like."
"Yeah, would you mind sitting with us in the morning?"
It would be the first time I had sat with Gryffindor since George was at school. I knew that it would cause a lot of unneeded drama with my house. "Look Ron, if I sit with you guys...every Slytherin would want to see my head on a stick. And without George, I don't think I could take that abuse again."
He thought about it for a second. "Yeah, you're right. Well we have double potions tomorrow, how about we meet there fifteen minutes early to finish this."
I nodded and made my way to the common room. When I got there Miles and Christian were sitting in the common room. They were talking quietly there. "Hey have you seen Malfoy? Snape is looking for him." Christian said.
"I don't know. Where is Snape? I can go talk to him because I don't think any of us know where he is."
"He said he would be in his office." Miles said.
I turned around and made my way to Snape's office. I knew that I couldn't tell Miles and Christian where Draco really was. So I had to go talk to Snape myself. There were a few times when I wanted to talk to Snape about everything going on. I knew that he was in the same situation as me. He was a double agent but eventually he too would have to choose a side. I wasn't sure what side he really was on. I was finally at Snape's office. I knocked.
"Enter." I heard Snape say. I walked in. "Ms. Lestrange, I do not recall asking you to come visit me."
"I know, I was in the common room and Brennan and Bletchley were asking where Draco was and I couldn't tell them, so I came down here myself to talk to you. He is in the room of requirements trying to complete his mission. Well the first part of it at least."
"How is Mr. Malfoy doing with that? He never seems to want to confide in me, he is dead set on completely this mission without my help."
I looked at him and contemplated whether or not I should actually tell him. "He is getting closer, he should have it completed fairly soon."
"Good, and how are you doing? You know there is a lot of questions of your loyalty." He remarked.
"From which side of this war?" I knew that both sides were doubting me, but I had to be sure which one he was talking about before I commented on it.
"The Dark Lord's side, of course. The other side should be doubting you, but the Dark Lord isn't someone you want doubting you."
"He hasn't spoken to me about it, but he has no reason to doubt me. I have never given them any kind of information, I have never spoken anything of his plans to the order. I would never do that. I know where my loyalties lie and that isn't going to change."
"Lets get real Lestrange. I know what you are going through. Regardless of the side you choose you will be seen as a traitor, just make sure whatever side you do choose is the right one because there is no turning back and I speak from experience."
"Are you saying that I shouldn't join the Dark Lord?" I was confused by what he said, he should have been telling me to choose the Dark Lord's side not which ever side I choose.
"I know the conflicting emotions that go behind being on both sides, I am just saying choose what feels right to you. I hope for your sake though that it is the Dark Lord's side. Goodnight, Ms. Lestrange." I knew that I couldn't say anything because that was him dismissing me.
I started to make my way back to the dormitory. Snape's words were playing in my head. I knew that I was going to be a traitor to which ever side I betrayed, that was obvious. But which side was right for me. The side with my family and the people I grew up with, or the side with my love and future family? I thought my side was chosen but now I was second guessing it. Make sure the side you choose is the right one because there is no turning back...I heard Snape's words in my head. I knew that he was right.
When I entered the dormitory Draco was sitting with Miles and Christian. I saw anger in his eyes automatically. He walked up to me and grabbed me by my upper arm and dragged me back out of the dormitory and into the hallway.
"You went to talk to Snape. Let me guess he wanted to know how I was doing? He wanted to check up on me, right?" He was mad I knew that he didn't want Snape knowing anything, but I figured Snape knowing would be better than me having to tell Christian and Miles where Draco was. I was silent, I didn't know what to say. Draco rarely ever actually yelled at me. "What did you tell him? Did you tell him how I was doing, where I was at in my mission?"
"Draco, I just told him it should be done fairly soon. I told him you were close."
He nose flared and I saw him snarl. "Listen, I have wanted him left in the dark. You have known that since the beginning. How dare you tell him anything that has to do with me."
I looked at him in disbelief. "Draco, you are stressed. You are cracking under the pressure. You wouldn't be saying any of this if you weren't."
He smiled for a second. "Yes I would. I'm not an idiot. I know that you are just going to betray me. You would betray anyone for George! You have shown that for the last year. You betrayed me, you betrayed your house. I don't even know who you are anymore. You aren't the Mary I fell in love with. You aren't my best friend anymore. You have changed so much, and I know that it isn't going to change. You have proved that your loyalties lie with George, not me, not your family...George! So you know what, Lestrange...I am done with you. Go be a blood traitor, because at the end of the day thats what you are."
I stared at him for a second. I didn't know what to say to him. I entered the common room and looked at Miles and Christian. I knew that I was already crying. They saw the tears so I turned and went to walk up the stairs. I felt someone behind me, it was Miles. "Come talk to me."
Draco walked in and sat back down on the couch. When he saw me crying he chuckled to himself. "Not cool Malfoy. What did you say to her?" I heard Christian say.
Miles dragged me up the stairs. We walked up to his dormitory and sat down on his bed. I knew that I was still crying. "What happened?"
I looked at him for a second. I still couldn't quite process what all Draco had said to me. It hurt more then anything in this world. After all the times I held him when he was upset, over Pansy, his father, his failing of his mission, and this is how he repaid me. "He yelled at me." I knew that I couldn't go into details without breaking down.
"I got that, we could hear him screaming at you through a stone wall." He put an arm around me. "What did he say?"
"He pretty much told me that our friendship is over. He told me that I would choose George over anyone, even him and that I will betray him." I felt the tears falling.
He hugged me. "He hasn't been himself this year. I think its been everything with his father, and everyone knows that the Malfoy name is lower then low right now."
"He told me that I have changed, that I'm not the Mary I use to be before George. That he doesn't even know who I am anymore...is that true?" I looked at him. I didn't think I was all that different. Sure somethings had changed but I had blamed it on maturity...not George. Was I wrong?
He looked down for a second. I knew that he didn't want to answer because he agreed with Draco on that one. "Well, you have changed. Before you were a die hard Slytherin...you hated all mudbloods, and blood traitors. You would have never of dated a half blood-"
"George isn't a half blood." I snapped.
"No but he is a blood traitor. Just let me finish...back at the beginning of our fourth year you never would have dated anyone but a Slytherin, let alone even talk to them or be friends with them. Now I see you, you're always talking to Weasley or Granger. You are dating someone you use to make fun of and hate. You have changed, and you can't blame it on growing up."
I looked at him. I knew that he was right. I had changed in that aspect. "Look I hadn't planned on being forced into dating George. But I was, and somewhere along the way I opened my mind up to the idea of expanding my horizons and making friends. You know what, I have changed but I thought everyone was fine with that and still cared about me and loved me."
He looked at me for a minute. "Look, I can't speak for Draco or Christian, but I still care about you. I don't mind that you have changed. Everyone changes and only the real friends will stick by you. I will be here for you as much as you need while I am still here."
I smiled at him. I hugged him. "Thank you, Miles." He held me until I was done crying. Truth be told, Draco had never yelled at me like that. It hit me hard and it hurt more then anything. It was probably one notch underneath when George and I broke up.
After about ten minutes I calmed down. Miles pulled away from me, and wiped my eyes with his sleeve. "It will get better, he will realize that he was wrong."
I nodded. I knew that it wasn't going to happen. What Draco said he really felt and believed to be true. I knew that he wouldn't apologize, for once he really had meant and thought about what he said before he said it. He smiled at me again. I stood up and he followed me to the door. "Thank you. Really, this means a lot to me."
I pulled him close to me and hugged him. I turned away and started walking out the door. I felt Miles grab my hand and pull me back. The next thing I knew he was kissing me. I stood still in shock. I couldn't believe this was happening. I pulled away. "Miles..." I heard a voice say. Christian was standing there with Draco.
"How dare you! You know who my heart belongs to. All of you do." I started to walk down the steps. I heard someone on my heels. When I got to the bottom I saw Draco tailing me.
"I knew it, I knew that there was no way you would turn down being a Malfoy for a Weasley. Bletchley, eh? You have been seeing him behind everyone's back? You turn me away countless times saying how much you love Weasley and now you are with Bletchley? Well aren't we just whoring ourselves out?"
He had a crazy look in his eyes. He was no longer the Draco Malfoy I knew and loved either. The war had changed both of us more then we really knew or realized. I gave him a look of disbelief. I walked up to him and with all my might and strength, punched him in the jaw. I saw him double over for a brief few seconds. He looked at me for a second and smiled, while grabbing his jaw.
"How dare you speak to me that way. I'm not with Bletchley, the dirt bag kissed me and guess what? I pulled away. I am still very much with George. And I am still very much in love with him. You will not speak to me the way just did now and the way you did earlier. I will not take you yelling in my face, calling me names and putting me down. Are we clear? You are an ungrateful little git. I have been here for you and helped you in anyway possible. Then you have the nerve to talk to me this way? Go fuck yourself, Malfoy. I hope you fail your mission and I hope the Dark Lord kills you, brutally too at that."
I turned around to walk up the stairs. Draco grabbed my arm and slammed me against the wall. He put his face to mine. "You would like that wouldn't you?"
"Get your damn hands off me." I pushed him away from me. "I would, then I wouldn't have to put up with your pathetic whining. You wanted the old Mary back, well here she is."
There was a brief second before I felt the back of his hand come into contact with my mouth. Then I felt him being pulled away from me. I saw Christian pulling him away and dragging him upstairs. I followed and went up to my dormitory. How DARE he hit me, all I did was what he wanted. He wanted his best friend back well that was her. He just couldn't handle who I was anymore and that was fine. I didn't need him.
I instantly went to my bed and sat down. I pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. I knew that writing George would help me calm down quickest.
George,
I had a rough night. I really wish that you were here for me to talk to. You won't believe what happened tonight, I am even having troubles wrapping my head around it...Draco and I got into a really big fight, one that has thrown a seventeen year friendship out the window. It started with me and him arguing, he was harsh and told me to go be a blood traitor and he was yelling in my face. Of course, after that I was really upset. So Christian talked to Draco and Miles talked to me. I told him what happened and after that and when I was getting ready to leave...Miles kissed me. I, of course, pulled away but Draco saw and then accused me of being with Miles. He said that he was stupid to think I would give up being his wife for you, and that I must be with Miles. Then he called me a whore. So I hit him and told him he wasn't to talk to me like that. I told him I hope that you-know-who kills him. That set him off. He slammed me against a wall and he hit me. He actually back handed me in the face. Christian pulled him away from me. I can't believe this. I can't believe he hit me. George, I really need you. I wish you could hold me and tell me everything will be okay. I can't wait to be with you again. I love you.
Mary
I gave the letter to my owl and told him to make sure George got it and not to leave until there was a letter for me. I sent him on his way and went to bed. In the morning when I woke, I went to breakfast. I walked to Ron and Ginny and sat next to them. I didn't want to see Draco and I knew that sitting with my house would mean I would.
Ron and the others looked at me like I was nuts. "I had a fight with Draco, and I don't want to see him."
Ginny was looking at my face. "Is that what happened there?" She pointed to my face. I didn't look to see if there was a mark and didn't heal myself. "There is a bruise and your lip is busted."
"Ron, this happened because Draco knows that I am on your side. I told him I was and he flipped." I looked at all of them.
"Well then I guess we don't have to finish our conversation. That proves it." He smiled at me. The owls rushed in and one dropped me and letter. I opened it and a letter fell out that had Ginny's name on it. I handed her, her letter and opened mine.
Mary,
He is dead. I will make sure that he is dead. How dare he hit you. I'm sorry that you had to go through that, but I can't really keep my head straight knowing that he put his hands on you, and knowing that Bletchley kissed you. I hope you are okay, and you can write me whenever you need to. Also, Ginny, I have asked her to be there for you. I love you.
George.
I looked at Ginny. "He wants me to hex Bletchley and Malfoy..." it was like she was asking for my permission.
"Have at it." I told her.
The weeks passed and it was finally late May. I hadn't talked to Miles or Draco, I had nothing to say to either of them. That was until Draco finally approached me. He said nine words..."I fixed it. It's gonna happen in one week."
I looked at him and knew that in one week I was in for the fight of my life.
A/N- The next chapter will be the battle and then the last one will be the aftermath.
Hope someone is actually reading this. And I hope you enjoyed the chapter.