4. Chapter

Moving Forward

When Draco woke up the next morning, something was different. It was still early, the sun was beginning to rise and he still had time to get up and prepare for the day. He had been sleeping on the couch, while Kiara had opted for sleeping in his huge comfortable bed. Dark and grey shadows were everywhere in his room, making it difficult for him to see to the end of his bedroom, where his bed with his Kiara was. When he raised his head a bit to have a better look at his sleeping mate, an empty bed greeted his vision.

Draco stopped dead in his tracks, his heartbeat starting to increase immensely. Kiara was not sleeping in his bed. To be honest, his mate was nowhere to be seen. Fear and anxiety immediately floated through his body and overpowered his rational thinking ability completely. He cursed under his breath and prepared to get up to start searching for her, when his left leg hit something hard and a soft groan could be heard. Draco looked down on his bed and stopped dead.

There, next to him and curled up into a small ball, lay his mate. She had her back to him and was lightly waking up, as his leg had hit her harder than he would have expected. Draco slowly lay down again next to her and waited patiently, until Kiara had finally completely woken up. She groaned again as the sun was now slightly hitting her unprepared eyes mercilessly. She stretched a little and finally she slowly opened her eyes. When her eyes were open, she suddenly gazed directly into the light blue eyes of her mate, causing her to stop dead in her movement and her eyes to widen comically.

"Hey, darling. Have you slept well?"

A sincere smile appeared on Draco's face. He watched as Kiara stretched a little bit more, smiling apologetically at him. Waking up next to his mate was definitely a good way to start the day.

"I'm sorry, I disturbed you. I ... I just had a horrible nightmare; I was really scared when I woke up and I couldn't sleep. I just thought the presence of another body would calm me down… This was why I lay down next to you. I didn't plan on falling asleep here. I'm sorry.", she stammered embarrassedly.

Draco waved her worries away with a fond smile.

"No need to be sorry. It surprised me positively. I enjoyed waking up next to you. But as nice as it is to just lie here, I think we should get up now, as my parents and Severus expect us to have breakfast with them in a few minutes."

Kiara nodded. They got up, changed and went down to the dining-room. After a quick and entertaining breakfast Lucius, Severus, Draco and Kiara went into the saloon to work through the documents, which Lucius got this morning from the Ministry. Meanwhile Narcissa went to prepare the guestroom next to Draco's bedroom for Kiara, so she would have her own bed and dressing room.

"Well, let's get seated. The Ministry sent over the necessary documents. When you have signed these, Kiara, you will officially be Ms. Kiara Dorina Balgakow, engaged to Mr. Draconis Lucius Malfoy. Congratulations, you two."

After they had signed the documents and faked all facts necessary for her newly created identity, Lucius and Severus wanted to speak with them about their studying schedule. They agreed on working on each of their veela powers Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, to work on their school projects and homework on Tuesdays and Saturdays and to have some free time to get to know each other on Thursdays and Sundays.

Lucius and Narcissa offered to supervise their veela training, while Severus opted for helping them with their homework and school projects. While they were planning their training schedules, they noticed that a visit in Diagon Alley would be of dear need. Kiara's trunk with her school supplies was still at her relatives' home, she hadn't any own clothes with her - the ones she was actually wearing were Narcissa's - and her books, pergament scrolls, inks and quills were probably already burnt. Furthermore, she would need either a new owl or she would have to disguise Hedwig completely.

Creating their schedules and planning their further actions took them all day long. During supper Severus talked about the Balgakows and his experiences in Russia. One could clearly notice that he was doing his best to make up for his former actions and tried to build up a new and better relationship to the girl, who quickly won over the hearts of the normally cold and distanced Malfoys. It was just like Narcissa had told them yesterday after her first real meeting with her new family.

The girl would be able to strengthen the bonds within their family and that would do them good.

The next day the five of them went to go to London. They had to wait a little until Draco and Kiara had finally been able to let their wings disappear - two body-length wings would attract way too much attention, which they were dearly trying to avoid. When they entered Diagon Alley, after having had lunch in the Leaky Cauldron, Kiara was exited. For the first time in her life could she just be herself. No one would be gaping and staring at her, she wouldn't have to watch her back and she was there in friendly company, which she enjoyed greatly. Lucius and Narcissa, as well as Draco and Severus, who had offered to watch out for them, should it be necessary, were standing next to her, enjoying the sight with a look of pure and utter contentedness. They had opted, should anyone question them, to tell the truth about the identity of the mysterious, beautiful girl who was walking between Draco and Severus.

"We will first have to visit Madam Malkin's. These things your relatives gave you won't work for you any longer. And you can't walk around in mine, either. You are going to be the next Lady Malfoy. We have some standards to uphold. This is why you will now get a complete new wardrobe."

A little smile spread over Narcissa's lips.

"Furthermore, nobody would recognize you in a different type of robes. You would hide in plain side."

With that they entered the small shop. Madam Malkin thankfully had no other costumer to attend to and was attending to them with all her might. When she heard that the girl in front of her was in dear need of a new wardrobe, she began literally to bounce in excitement. It was a well known fact that the Malfoys only purchased the very best and as they were accompanying her, she concluded correctly that they were to be related in some way.

An hour later Kiara left the shop, now being the proud owner of some trousers all in black, several skirts in white, black and grey and a huge amount of blouses in white, grey, black and dark green. Furthermore, she now had new shirts, jackets and some thin and thick sweaters.

Narcissa thought that it was necessary to buy some dresses, too, as Kiara would soon be seen as a proper lady of high society, and opted for some short and long ones in green, purple, white, black and grey. As she had grown a bit, she now needed new school robes, too.

When they were about to leave the shop for the first time, Severus suddenly remembered that there would be a ball at Hogwarts this year, which left Kiara in the dear need of not only normal robes in black, grey, dark purple and dark green but also of some formal dress robes. Narcissa immediately grew exited. They soon acquired some elegant, yet feminine looking ones in dark green, dark purple, silver and black. Finally, after Narcissa had added some muggle evening dresses in green, white, silver, grey and black - "You never know, when you will need one." - they were able to leave the shop.

After the visit of Madam Malkin's the five of them went straight to Ollivander's. Kiara's old wand was too easy to recognize and it hadn't worked properly for her since her transformation. This was why she now dearly needed a new one. Kiara dreaded the old wand maker; he just seemed to know everything and everyone. However, when they entered he neither said he knew who she was, nor did he make the connection to her former self, Harriet Potter. After some trying and measuring they finally found the right wand for her - twelve inches, ivory and the hair of a black unicorn - bought the wand, left the shop and turned right to go to Flourish & Blotts.

They bought Draco's and Kiara's regular sixth year schoolbooks and then went to choose some others, too. Draco and Kiara opted for buying the ones which interested them both and yet weren't part of the huge Malfoy library. At the end of their search they had some books about veelas, light and dark ones, about magical creatures in general, some about healing, politics, law and finally some to study some more foreign languages such as Chinese, French, German and much more. Kiara wanted to bring her affinity to languages to full use. Their new abilities would help them a lot with what they wanted to do in the future.

Draco wanted to go into politics and later work as a lawyer. In some years he would take over his father's business to let it blossom even more. Kiara didn't want to become an Auror, as this was what all the other people around her suspected and expected her to do. No, she wanted to work with animals, beats and magical creatures. She liked helping and caring for them, this was why she wanted to become a magical veterinary or something along the line.

Draco immediately assured her that he would always support her decision, no matter what she would finally choose to be.

When they left the shop, the five of them parted. Narcissa and Lucius went to go to Knockturn Alley to speak with some shop owners and trade with them, while Severus wanted to go to the chemist's shop where he would buy Draco's and Kiara's ingredients, which they would need the next year and some for him for personal use. He offered to buy Kiara a cauldron and scales, too, as hers were still at Privet Drive 4 and they were still unable to obtain them.

They would meet an hour later at the Leaky Cauldron to return home and enjoy the rest of their free time of their evening. After his parents and Godfather had left, Draco stirred Kiara further to the right. When she was asking, where they were going to, he only told her that it would be a surprise and she didn't ask another time.

Draco had planned this all the while. He didn't know how to correctly approach Kiara and now that they were courting, he felt that a present was needed. But it shouldn't be just any kind of present. No, it had to be something special. He wanted to show Kiara that he loved her, even when she was still unsure of how to react to human contact and she still felt uneasy in the near presence of other people.

This present should show all his love and his affection for her and that he was willing to wait for her until she felt ready to do the next step. So he had been thinking all the nights, while Kiara was sleeping dreamlessly in the room next to his, thanks to his Godfather's Sleeping Draughts and Dreamless Sleep Potions. He had pondered about what to give her, what she would really respect, love and highly think of. And finally he had found the perfect present.

He stopped in front of a little shop, opened the door for her and led her in.

"Oh, it's a pet shop! What are we doing here, Draco?", Kiara exclaimed in surprise.

She knew that he was well aware of that she loved animals. But why would Draco offer to spend their free time in London to visit some pet shop and to look at animals? She turned around and raised an eyebrow, just like Snape.

"You know, you just look like Uncle Sev when you're doing this.", Draco told her with a shudder.

Kiara's smile only grew.

"We are here because I want to give you something. Yesterday we both got officially engaged and I wanted to show you my love and my affection to you with something special. You told me that you never had a real pet. Hedwig doesn't count."

He interrupted her forming protest.

"I know, you love her, but she isn't a real pet. You can't hold her, stroke her like you would do with a pet. You also told me that you fear of being lonely and that the presence of another being would calm you and help you sleep better. That's why we are here. I want you to pick out an animal, a familiar, who will come and live with us at the Manor."

Her eyes had grown wider and she now had tears in her eyes. She looked gratefully at him and whispered a heartfelt 'thank you'. Draco's smile only grew and he led her through the shop. They began their tour at the cages with the dogs and rabbits and then got to some magical creatures which Kiara didn't know.

Draco was all the while telling her everything he knew about their eating habits and the difficulties which might occure while taking care of them, especially while they were looking at the magical creatures. At the near end of their tour they came to cages with differnt looking cats. After they had had a look at them, Draco turned to go to some furry pink and green creatures, when Kiara stopped him.

"I've got it!", she suddenly exclaimed.

Draco turned around and looked at her. He had a questioning expression on his face.

"You've got what?", he asked.

Kiara's smile grew even further. It could now nearly split her face in two halves.

"I found my pet, Draco, my perfect pet! Look, isn't it cute? It's this one, over there, the little kitten!"

Draco came nearer and looked at the little animal Kiara pointed at. After a few moments of pondering he had to agree. It was perfect. It was a little kitten with night black, fluffy fur, little pointed ears and four tiny pink paws. But the best of all were the kitten's eyes. They were huge and of a lively forest green, making her look like Kiara in a cat form. He had to smile.

Yes, this kitten really was perfect.

He called for the shop owner and asked to buy the kitten and all the things which the little creature would need. The salesman told them that the kitten was female and didn't have a name yet and told them that they should find a suitable name for her. Draco paid the man, who then left to let them deal with all their things alone. After a few minutes Draco had managed to shrink all of their stuff, except the dark green transport box with the little kitten in it. He turned to open the door, when he suddenly felt two slender arms wrap around his neck and shoulders and pull him backwards into another body.

When he turned around, he was looking straight into the huge, green orbs of Kiara. Before he could react, he felt her lips pressed upon his and without thinking further he slowly closed his eyes. The kiss was sweet and gentle. Draco had to summon up all his will force to stop himself from taking over control, something which would probably scare his mate endlessly. After some seconds Kiara deepened the kiss, their tongues got involved and unintentionally his hands began to scan her body up and down. Finally the need of air broke them apart.

"Thank you.", she murmured breathlessly into his ear, before she hurriedly left the shop.

Draco stayed unmoving for a few moments. The places, where her lips had touched his skin, were still feeling as if they were on fire. He needed a little bit more time just to calm himself down enough not to jump her on the first sight and then followed her out of the shop.

Kiara was waiting for him next to the door, her eyes trained on the dirty floor of Diagon Alley, as she still fought to regain the control over her breathing. When he left the shop, her eyes darted up and a sincere smile appeared on her lips. Her eyes were still sparkling and her cheeks were still a little bit flushed. When Draco stopped next to her, she shyly took his hand in hers, blushing a little bit more and causing Draco to laugh quietly at her antics.

They turned to make their way to the Leaky Cauldron, where Draco's parents and Godfather were probably already waiting for them, when someone suddenly blocked their way and sneered at them.

"Look! Malfoy finally got himself a girlfriend. The Parkinson bitch already can't stand to be near you, can she? Well, to be honest, who could?"

Draco and Kiara immediately stopped. There, in front of them and effortlessly blocking their way, was Ronald Weasley, one third of the former Golden Gryffindor Trio.

The summer hadn't been generous on him. He had grown even more, making him look too large and too thin to look healthy. His red hair had grown, too. It reached his chin now, looking wild and untamed. There were even more freckles on his face than before and he was letting himself grow a beard. To be honest, his appearance was even less than appealing.

Next to him stood Hermione Granger. The both of them never seemed to be able to figure out whether they were dating at the moment or not. Nevertheless it seemed as if one couldn't live without the other and the other way around.

Hermione had grown, too, but only a bit. Her dirty brown hair was still bushy and untamed and now it reached past her shoulders until the middle of her back. Though she still looked and acted like the tomboy was.

There was a little difference in her face, nothing grave but nonetheless it was there. It seemed as if she had to squeeze her eyes constantly. Perhaps all this reading with dim light in the dorm and the library had damaged her eyes in more ways than she thought it to be possible. She would be in dear need of glasses some time soon.

"Watch out, cutie."

Kiara blinked surprised. Ronald was obviously speaking to her, his eyes checking out her well shaped body openly and unashamedly.

"This one there next to your gorgeous body could have some very bad influence on you.

He is the son of a Death Eater, probably a Death Eater himself. He surely forced you to go out with him; wouldn't be something new for him. But I could help you out of it. My best friend is Harriet Potter, the one and only girl who lived. She is going to kick You-know-who's and all the Death Eaters' asses. You know, I could talk with her about some way to protect you from this rubbish next to you. But in exchange for my connections and the generous help I offered to you, you would have to do me some favours, you know?"

Ronald was now starring at her breasts without denying it, leering even. An animalistic glint appeared in his eyes and he slowly licked his lip. Kiara felt disgusted. There was her best friend, the one who had promised her to always be by her side and to never let her down. He was not only acting differently from normally, but was also using Harriet Potter's fame and glory to get some girls. And what was this about favours? He sounded like some sort of ponce, offering protection in exchange for sex.

Was this the real Ronald Weasley, abusing and using her fame and forcing girls to have sex with him, so she would try to protect them?

Next to her she could feel Draco stiffen up. He had started to tremble slightly, while Ron had talked to her, and looked as if he wanted nothing more than to hex the redhead into the next century. Kiara placed one of her hands on his trembling arm and tried to calm him down. Draco slowly opened his fists, but was still tense.

Hermione had looked disapprovingly at her best friend, but had refrained from scolding him. It seemed as if she was used to this kind of behaviour. While the redhead had talked to Kiara, Hermione had inspected the girl in front of her, using all her knowledge about the connections and friendships the Malfoy family had, to figure her and Draco out.

"I have never seen you here before. And I don't even know you or know your name. But I know everybody!"

She sounded as if she was angry about the fact that Draco knew someone and she didn't. This fact seemed to cause some major problems with her inflated ego.

"Who are you? What are you doing here in Diagon Alley? And why does Malfoy acompany you? Are you his new sex toy, his little whore to show off to the world? Do you plan on becoming a Death Eater just like him and his parents?"

Her voice had raised and was becoming demanding and angry. It even had attracted the attention of some other passengers, who now started to stop to observe the scene in front of them.

Kiara groaned.

All she wanted was to be left alone. And here she was with her former best friends, who were not only accusing her of being a Death Eater in training, but also were insulting her and her former self Harriet Potter.

She suddenly felt incredibly sad, lonely and disappointed. Where were her friends, the ones who promised to protect her and go to hell and back with her?

Draco was starting to tremble again. A quick look at his face proved her right; he was absolutely furious. She tried to hold him back and squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"It's okay, darling; really, it's okay. Don't get angry. They aren't worth it.", she whispered calmly to him.

She directed her cold glare at her two former best friends and stated:

"I don't know who you think you are to ask such impolite questions. But to be rather honest, I don't care who you are.", Kiara was speaking with a heavy Russian accent, yet they still could understand her perfectly.

"In contrast to you I was obviously raised with some good manners and that is why I will answer some of your impolite questions. You don't know me, because I have never been here before. I am at the moment in Diagon Alley, because I will attend Hogwarts next year together with Draco. We came here to buy all the necessary school supplies. What my name is and why I am here with Draco is of a personal aspect and as such it is none of your business.

If you would now excuse us, we have some business to attend to. Goodbye."

With that she took Draco's hand and turned around to leave in direction of the Leaky Cauldron, effortlessly walking past the now gaping figures of her once best friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger.

While they were walking, Kiara did not once look back over her shoulder, but instead had her eyes fixed on the way in front of her. When Draco inspected her face, he could see how upset she truly was. Her jaw was tense and in the corner of her eyes there could be seen some unshed, though still present tears. Her lips started to shake lightly and she took in a little shaky breath, before directing her gaze at him, a forced smile on lips.

"There goes my dream that my friends would understand my, no our, situation and would accept it. Apparently they aren't as good friends as I thought them to be all the time."

Her voice broke.

Thin, wet and salty streams of tears ran down her cheeks, breaking Draco's heart. He squeezed her hand reassuringly and laid one arm around her shoulder, pressing her trembling body against his to steady her.

When they entered the Leaky Cauldron Kiara still hadn't calmed down. Draco led her to the big fireplace, where his parents and Godfather were already waiting for them. They saw her sobbing quietly and the tears which still ran down her cheeks, but before they could ask what had happened, Draco shook his head lightly, mouthing her friends clearly at them, before he took some Floo powder, threw it in the fire and sent them both home quickly. At the Manor he led her to his bedroom, stirring her to his bed to lie down.

While he went to fetch some Calming Draughts and Dreamless Sleep Potions, Kiara had changed into something comfortable to sleep in and had curled herself up to a tight ball under his bedding. The little black kitten, which had yet to be named, had curled herself up next to Kiara's chest, purring contentedly.

Draco sat next to them on his bed, waiting patiently until Kiara had finally fallen asleep and was now sleeping deeply, before he got up and went to search for the rest of his family. They would have to talk about the way the Weasel and the Mudblood had been acting. And then they would have to come up with some interesting counteractions.

Nobody, and he really meant nobody, would hurt his mate and get away with it without proper punishment.