Chapter 41

The Failed Attempt

(May 1, 1997)

Draco leaned back in his chair in transfiguration class not paying the slightest bit of attention to what Professor McGonagall was drowning on about. When the bell finally rang, he was not at all feeling motivated to get up and go to potions, but nevertheless started throwing his parchment and quills into his bag. He was just about to stand when Alex Snape approached him.

She was looking worlds better since last Saturday. Her face looked less sickly and she had finally washed her hair. She came up to his desk and gently tossed a folded piece of parchment in front of him and then sent him a forced smile that looked more like a grimace and walked away awkwardly, brushing her fingers against his arm as she went.

Draco looked after her, but she didn't turn back. Draco then grabbed the note off the desk and began leaving the class. Halfway between transfiguration and potions he unfolded the note. Inside a few lines were scribbled down. They read:

Meet me on the fourth floor at midnight.

Trust me; it will be worth your while.

-Alex

"He's not coming," I said angrily to myself as I paced back and forth at the top of the fourth floor corridor. I looked down at my watch it was 12:15 How dare he? I thought.

I wanted to break something or better yet, hex Draco! Sparks came shooting out of the end of my wand in my right hand.

"Okay," I said talking to myself, trying to keep my calm. "Maybe he just got held up or something." More sparks flew from my wand as I squeezed the handle tight with frustration. "I just want to get this over with!" I said loudly.

I clutched at my stomach. "I'm trying, I'm trying," I said to the baby as though it was angry with me too.

Suddenly I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. It sounded like there was more than one person. I hurried to take refuge around the corner, out of sight of the newcomers. I was not in the mood to be caught out of bed right now. I heard the footsteps pass and peered out from behind the corner to see who was prowling the halls at this time, but as I looked I did not see anyone as if the people who passed were invisible. The footsteps continued up the next flight of stairs, but still there was no one in sight. I was about to investigate when a warm hand grabbed my shoulder. I let a sharp breath of surprise and turned around.

It was Draco. He looked at me with stern eyes, not exactly sure what I wanted from him.

I wanted to point out that he was late, but no one wants to do it with someone who nags them about such a trivial thing as time.

"What were you staring at?" he asked me.

"Nothing," I said in a false bright tone, putting the mysterious footsteps out of my mind; this was far more important.

We looked at each other for a long moment. The more I stared at him the more I hated myself for what I was planning to do. I couldn't possibly stare at him any longer so I leaned in and kissed him with my eyes tightly shut, trying to keep myself detached.

When we finally broke away I took his hand. "Come on," I said gently. "There is an empty classroom up here."

He allowed me to pull him along. I didn't look back at him but just moved quickly down the hall. It would all be over soon.

"Alohomora," I whispered as I pointed my wand at the door. I creaked open.

Draco and I entered the room together. This classroom hadn't been used for a very long time. There was dust on the stacked chairs and the desks were askew, but it would work just fine. I shut the door by magic as soon as we were both in and immediately began stripping down.

Draco just looked at me with confusion. "What are you doing?" he asked.

I suddenly felt very annoyed. "What does it look like I'm doing?" I asked, pulling off my sweater.

Draco just continued to stare at me.

"Take off your clothes," I finally said desperately trying to keep the frustration out of my voice.

I was down to my underwear. I did my best not to stand in profile because that would just bring attention to the slight bulge of my stomach.

"You look like you are feeling better," Draco spoke up at last as he fiddled with the top button of his shirt.

I sighed impatiently and walked over to him. "Yes," I said softly as I began taking off his clothes for him "Severus made me a potion and I feel much better now."

"What was his problem the other day?" Draco asked curiously as I kissed his now bare chest.

"When is Severus not in a bad mood," I pointed out vaguely.

"Right," said Draco suspiciously, "but he was really angry."

"Let's not talk about him," I said a bit forcefully as I undid his pants.

"What brought this on?" Draco asked as he stepped out of his pants.

"Get on that desk." I ordered, pointing to where I wanted him.

He obeyed me at once, but conveyed me with some mistrust.

"I couldn't convince you for months," Draco pointed out as I climbed on the desk. "Why now?"

I looked at him through empty eyes. "Why does it matter?" I asked, leaning over him and kissing down his chest. "The only thing that matters is that we are here now."

"But," Draco began. I slipped my hand into his underwear. He didn't finish his sentence.

"Don't talk," I said to him in a whisper and he obeyed me with a kiss. He began to run his hand over me and I could feel myself losing control over the situation. He unhooked my bra and threw it across the room. Then he rolled on top off me, giving him all the power. He kissed me around my collarbone.

I felt so horrible. I was stupid to think that I could do this without feeling emotionally inclined.

Draco ran his fingers down my waist and I caught them and pulled his hands up away from that danger zone.

The way he was kissing me I knew what this meant to him. From the very beginning of this mess Draco and I looked to each other for safety and truth and here I was giving him only cruelty and lies!

Tears began to spill from my eyes. Draco stopped his caressing and looked at me.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," I said my voice shaking. Just a little bit longer and it would be all over. "Please," I begged. "Don't stop."

He obliged me, but had a look of concern on his face as he removed his last bit of clothing and then mine. More silent tears fell from my eyes as my plan was just about to become a success, but then suddenly we both froze.

"Dammit," Draco blurted as he raised himself off me, clutching his left arm to him.

"Shit," I said through an angry sob.

"It's Potter," said Draco, summoning his clothes to him. "The mark wouldn't burn for anything else." He looked at me nervously. We both knew that if Harry Potter was at Hogwarts it would be a full blown attack on the school. It could all end tonight.

I began retrieving my clothes the muggle way, trying to keep my face hidden from Draco.

"Hurry up" Draco told me. He was already dressed and I was still trying to find my bra.

I turned to him holding my arms around my chest "Go on ahead," I cried. "Find the Carrows."

"Alex?" he asked, not seeming pleased with my response.

"The- The Dark Lord is probably not even near yet," I stammered. "One of the Carrows must have sent the alarm."

"What if it was Snape?" Draco asked.

I looked at Draco with confusion. In the daze of the moment it seemed ridiculous that Severus would ever call Lord Voldemort to Hogwarts, but then I remembered that Draco did not know that.

"Right," I recovered, my body shaking with repressed sobs. "Yes, maybe it was Severus. I will go to him and you go find the Carrows."

"Alright," he agreed as he walked over to the door.

"Draco," I called after him.

He turned. "Yes."

"Be careful," I muttered.

"Yeah," he said quickly, "you too." Then he left and closed the door behind him.

As soon as the door shut I sunk onto the floor, clutching my stomach. "I'm so sorry" I sobbed. "I'm sorry, Baby."

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