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Chapter 14

Draco's POV

The amber liquid swirled hypnotically in the glass, fluidly and uninterrupted, there was something to be admired by the consistency of liquid...the way it conformed...blended...if only life itself was so malleable...malleable...how this very same liquid altered Thornton...made her laugh brighter yet her eyes so dull...

"Draco?"

I glanced away from the Danahagh and to the other occupant of the room, Blaise lazed across the sole piece of furniture, a long black leather sofa that I had spent many a night on with Pansy. It had been almost a year ago that Thornton had sat on that very same sofa, her dark hair camouflaged in the poorly lit room, her pink lips like a ghost in the dark as she asked me to sign on her endeavour to get back at Umbridge...one year ago all that mattered to her was to thwart that woman, yet today I wonder whether she even gives her a passing thought.

"It's a letter from Ari. She is settled in at Beauxbaton." He smiled up at the parchment which floated magically above his head, as he lay flat on his back, it was beyond me how he could read in such poor light but Blaise had been gifted every physiological advancement, be it perfect vision to model cheek bones. "She says that she has already been asked out by three different boys whilst another has bought her a pair of earrings which she is sure was stolen from the boy's grandmother considering how 'grievously outdated' it is." He scoffed, "Do you think we have spoiled her? Were we this worldly at eleven?"

I sighed, downing the Danahagh and magicking the glass away, "When we were eleven, you convinced Alexandria Milron to show you her breasts, granted she was an A cup and it was just as much a show as seeing Goyle topless, a smooth talking bastard like yourself managed to convince the idiot to do so. If equipping Aria in seeing through smooth talking bastards means we have spoiled her, then by all means, I will spoil her rotten."

He laughed, straightening up, "The funniest thing is Goyle's breasts are now bigger than Milron's, did you see her on the train? Pansy told me she spent most of the holiday trying to convince her parents to see a healer about enlarging them. Poor dear thinks her flat chest keeps the boys at bay when in truth it's that sack of shit face."

I rolled my eyes, "Didn't stop you from using that sack of shit face to satisfy your needs an hour ago."

The laughter stopped dead on his face, "What the fuck-"

"Do you not remember? Yes, you can get so pissed out of your mind that I have to practically carry you onto the train, but do not expect me to watch over you while you sleep it off! Theo however, seems to be enough of an idiot to do that for you, he walked in to find Milron having her way-"

"Fucking hell Draco!" He stood, his face held in a snarl, "Don't joke about shit like that!"

I cocked an eyebrow, "Joke? Blaise, if you expect to be constantly out of it, be prepared to be taken advantage of by every social ladder climbing, horny pureblood bitch this house has to offer. You're just lucky that it was Milron, and not Bullstrode. But I'm sure she would come sniffing around soon enough."

He took a step forward in anger but I didn't budge, I was tired of this. In the beginning when Daphne and him broke up it was perfectly understandable, but now it was a bore and a hindrance. I needed him to have his wits about him, not seeking answers at the bottom of a glass that seemed to get taller and taller as the days went by. This might just be the wake-up call he needed.

"Should I come back in another five minutes, or do you need more time to...finish of?" Blaise stepped back at the voice, realising how inappropriately close he had got in his anger and I glanced to the entrance, the wall slid close behind Theo who smirked at us, the smirk marred by a thin line of scarlet that splashed across his lips. I stared into his hazel eyes, and flicked my wand.

"Legilemens."

Theo brought the memory to the forefront of his mind and I sunk in.

"Potter, I have been waiting for you." It was strange seeing things from another's perspective, but there was no better point of view than Theo's. In a matter of moments his eyes swept across Thornton's lab, it had been vacant for months yet there was not a speck of dust in sight. Potter was the sole occupant of the room.

Potter stood up from the scarlet armchair, his eyes red with anger...no...Theo glanced at his hands...there was a small droplet that travelled down his thumb...tears...he was crying...

"Is Kitt-"

The words never left as Theo was pushed back, the green eyes surrounded by the bloodshot red glared at him as Theo glanced down at the point where his shirt was inhaled by Potter's fist.

"What the fuck are you doing here!"

Theo didn't move to push Potter off him, he instead looked at Potter's face, there was bits of flesh sticking out of his lip as he gnashed at it with his teeth till it bled, his cheeks were stained with an angry red but even though the green eyes glowed angrily there was another emotion, just recently pushed away...something he hid away once Theo arrive.

"What are you so guilty about, Potter?" Potter's pupils dilated, Theo had called it spot on, but instead of answering him, Theo's shirt was freed of Potter's fist as his fist instead momentarily blinded his sight. Theo blinked a few times, looking down at the blood stains on his fingers after he touched his lip.

"It seems a guilty conscious is quick fisted." Theo spat out the excess blood in his mouth and looked back at Potter whose nostrils flared, regret burning in his face. The room echoed with Theo's laughter.

"I always thought it would be Weasley who would punch me first. Probably should be grateful, the thicker the skull the sharper the impact, right? Oh don't scowl now Potter, that's a compliment to you."

"What do you want Nott!" Potter snarled.

Theo straightened up and I could see Potter's snarl turn into a look of confusion, Theo must be sporting a rarely seen expression of seriousness on his face, "I have news regarding Kitten. Word has it that she is in the Hospital Wing, I was on my way up there until I saw you barge down here."

"Ky is...she's not in a state..."

"It's OK. My news concerns Kitten but it is not meant for her. It is for you actually."

Potter stepped back, running a hand through his hair, a nervous tendency. "What is it?"

"There is an attack planned for her, while she is vulnerable. For obvious reasons I cannot say how I know, just that I do know, and it would be in her best interest to ensure she is protected tonight."

He stepped forward, all confusion disappeared, "It's Malfoy, isn't it! He's after Ky!"

"Draco? No. The 'who' is quite inconsequential actually; best not to say too much though. I leave the rest of the matter in your hands."

"Why the fuck should I trust you!"

Theo turned away from the door, his hand still on the door knob, "No reason at all Potter. None whatsoever. Yet somehow it seems something's in life occur without reason, like your punching me. You don't see me moping about why you had done it, do you? However, I hope that it somehow makes you feel better, I find knitting more of a stress reliever. But I guess...to each their own."

I felt the familiar presence of my own body once more and solidified my mind in its comfort, "Don't bring the memory to the forefront of your mind like that, it defeats the purpose of my practicing legilemency on you when you make it easy."

He smirked, "Forgive me, it was not intentional."

"And the next time that arse punches you, be a man and punch him back! Don't sprout your lyrical nonsense."

He sighed, walking towards the sofa and sitting down next to Blaise, "Forgive me for wanting things to be even between us, you barely had reason to break his nose."

"He got my father thrown in Azkhaban!"

"Your father got himself thrown in Azkhaban, Draco. We all know why you really punched him." I turned and glared at Blaise, it was times like these that I preferred him drunk.

"Speaking of which, I think you will be happy to find that Selina and Silvain Sabre, both aurors in training, have been instructed to watch over Kitten whilst she is in the Hospital Wing."

Blaise scoffed, "You left to warn Potter twenty minutes ago, how can you know that?"

"How can you convince a seventeen year old to make out with her twin sister when you yourself are only thirteen. I have my talents Blaise, just as you have yours."

I busied myself with conjuring up a glass and pouring myself another shot, "What news of Thornton?"

The room fell silent and I looked up, Theo's face was grim, "She was given some sort of haemolytic potion, her blood was messed up somehow, wasn't flowing right. Splinch wound at her stomach but Madam Pomfrey healed that quickly along with the lacerated wounds at her shoulder and left thigh, what seems to have really affected her was the back wound due to her fall."

"Fall?"

"Off Brockdale Bridge." I continued staring, like I knew a thing about muggle bridges, "It's about fifty feet."

I poured another shot and gulped it down as Blaise shrugged, "It wouldn't be Hogwarts without Thornton in the Hospital Wing. She should have her own private ward by now."

Theo turned to Blaise as the darker boy chuckled, "If Linus Thornton was two seconds later, we would now be attending her funeral."

I didn't process that last sentence and concentrated on what happened before the fall. "Karetnikov?" It could only be Karetnikov, it wasn't my aunt...I saw her not five minutes before I left, drinking her disappointment away, staring out the window as if the Dark Lord would appear if she yearned for him enough.

"And the Red Cloaks. They were outnumbered five to one."

I downed another glass, staring at the plush emerald carpet. I didn't magick the empty glass away this time, I needed it there, to hold it so they wouldn't see how my fingers trembled at the news. I heard she was in the Wing upon my arrival but she always ended up in the Wing, it was never cause for concern...I had no idea that she was attacked...fifty feet...I couldn't even imagine how high that was...

I heard the sound of the sliding wall and I looked up to find Liam standing in the entrance, "Davis' gang did what you expected Draco, they went all the way to the Wing but the entrance was guarded by a blonde guy and they waited for a bit but the guy didn't seem to be moving."

I cleared my throat, turning to Liam, "Did you find out what they wanted."

He shook his head, "No...they weren't really going to harm her, were they?"

Considering all the boy went through, he could be so naive at times. "Go upstairs and call Davis and his friends."

Blaise shot up as Liam turned on his heel, "Draco, you cannot confront the boys. Or punish them! It will raise questions!"

"And who are THEY to question ME!" I snapped, turning on my heel, my breathing was coming out in rapid bursts and I struggled to control it... "I am not an idiot Blaise...I do not plan on spending the rest of the year sending Theo off to tip Potter off on how best to protect Thornton!"

"Your affection for her-"

"My affection or whatever you deem it is of no concern to you! I am doing this because I have no time to clean up messes made by overzealous boys attempting to win favour from the Dark Lord!"

Blaise opened his mouth but stopped as the wall slid open, Liam re-entered, with a sandy haired boy behind him, followed by three other boys about the size of Crabbe. The last to enter was a skinny boy I didn't recognize. I gulped, swallowing my anger.

Davis walked forward, his icy blue eyes like his older sisters, he was a fourth year and as gawky as a boy in those transition years appeared, he gulped and I smirked...good.

"Come, sit." Theo conjured a set of stools for the boy as he ushered them into the small room, all glancing around, never having the privilege to enter it before.

"I...I'm not sure why Rheines sent for us. We were just getting ready for bed."

"Well isn't it obvious Davis," Blaise's eyes glinted at the boy, "We've called you to tell you a bedtime story."

I scoffed as his friends guffawed at Blaise's poor joke. I walked to the corner of the room, eying each boy in turn. Davis' knuckles turned white as he gripped the sides of the stool, the Crabbe looking boys had too much fat on their face for expression and the skinny boy with the black hair looked two seconds away from pissing himself. I paced in front of the five boys, stopping in front of the fat one with the brown hair that fell untidily to his shoulders.

I smiled, and his eyes grew brighter, I leaned forward and clapped him on the shoulder, "Brains and brawn, now that is a winning combination."

His mouth hung open, "I don't know-"

"Come now, don't be shy. It's Gryffindor brave what you convinced your friends to do, attack Dumbledore's granddaughter when she is nice and injured, ingenious. I'm envious I didn't think of it myself."

He closed his gaping mouth and smiled at me, "Well...I guess it was quite an idea."

My smile widened and his friends giggled at my pleasure, "Legendary. I'm beside myself with envy, what were your plans..."

"Plans?" he asked stupidly.

"Well, I don't think you were very well going through all that trouble to swap her shampoo for Hair-Go Dust."

They laughed at my joke in symphony. I stared down at the boy, a small smile on my face, "Well?"

"Well...we were actually going to swap her...her medication. With poison." He added dramatically.

I laughed, loud and clear and he joined in, "How did you find poison!" I stated in awe.

Davis leaned forward, pride on his face, "My mother, I knew where she keeps her stash."

Mother did tell me Lady Davis poisoned her own mother but I had no idea she was armed and ready to poison who ever she felt like, on a whim. I held out my hand, "Let me see it."

He dug into his pocket in excitement, he handed it to me and I tossed it to Theo. He uncapped the lid and sniffed.

"Bloodroot extract." Theo inhaled, "Quite stale."

"My forth stepfather died from bloodroot poisoning. Or was that the one that died from a Venomous tentacula bite...I forget." Blaise smirked and all the boys laughed with him. I grabbed the bottle back, laughing the whole while; I passed it back to Davis. He took it, on his way to pocketing it.

"Drink it." The room fell silent. He finished his laugh with a squeak.

"W...w...what?"

I laughed, "Go on. Drink it."

"I...I...what?"

I pulled up my sleeves and I watched as all eyes moved to my right arm and their laughter quickly became ghosts. "Uncap the bottle, and drink the contents."

"B...but...Mal-"

"Are you disobeying a direct order, Davis."

Tears welled up in the boy's eyes, "Pl...please..."

"Do it." I took a threatening step forward and the boy shrunk in his seat. He fell off, onto his knees.

"Please, Malfoy, no! You can't!"

"That is where you are very wrong, Davis. Very wrong, indeed. There is very, very little that I CANNOT do. I am a MALFOY, among other things that I am sure you do not need spelt out. So you will do as I say and only as I say. The only person that can go around poisoning people and passing out commands is me! So when I say drink something, you open your mouth and push it down your throat or I will rid you of the throat that you seem to make no use of. So DRINK!"

The boys hand shook, as he held the bottle, I turned to the boy next to him, "Let me be more frank, if possible. If he doesn't down the potion in the next five seconds, I will make you do it. Five. Four."

Before I could even reach three the fat boy flung Davis to the floor, wrestling the potion down his throat. Davis screamed but it only helped the poison flow down faster.

"Let me very clear, I don't condone Gryffindor stupidity! There will be no acting on your own. What you did today could have jeopardized my whole...Kyrianna Thornton is the headmaster's granddaughter and if any of you think it would be that easy to get to her then make your way to the Astronomy tower and jump off because that would be a far less painful death than what will be in store for you. Dumbledore maybe a muggle loving fool but do not be misled by the grey hair and kind eyes, you murder his own and he will make you pay. The Dark Lord would not take kindly to your placing Dumbledore on high alert, we work in the dark, we do not charge forward like idiots unnecessary. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"

There were four nods, Davis was rasping on the floor, clutching his throat. "Theo. Give him the antidote."

Theo stood and then bent down, the boy gulped down the contents from the bottle he offered.

"Now leave. I do not want to have this conversation again, or it will not end so nicely."

The boys scrambled to their feet and hastened to the door. "How did you know Theo had the antidote?" Blaise voice rang with uncharacteristic awe.

"Theo knew that the boys were attempting to poison Thornton, he would have the antidote prepared in case he was too late. He's quite predictable in that way."

Blaise smirked, "Lucky thing too, or Davis might be dead. How did you know the mastermind behind the whole thing was the fat one in the middle?"

"Banon isn't the mastermind. The boy couldn't piece a puzzle together let alone plan a murder."

"Then it was Davis?"

"No." I thought back to the five boys, I knew right from the start who was the mastermind, from the moment I spotted that green eyes...green eyes that glinted at me just before he entered and exited...

I knew better than to let him know that I knew it was him though, best to keep a watch over someone when their guard is low. "Well, I'm off to shower and hopefully get off any stench that Milron left behind."

I nodded as Blaise walked away; Liam had left with the other boys, ensuring they made it to bed without getting any other bright ideas.

"Draco?"

I looked up, Theo stared at me, his usual expressionless face held in worry, "I didn't know they were attempting to poison Kitten. I would have told you. I didn't have the antidote. I gave him grapefruit juice."

I shrugged, "You said the poison was stale, didn't you?"

"I said it smelt stale. I could have been wrong."

"Were you?"

"No, I think he reacted that way out of fear, not as an effect of the poison. If it was active the boy would have been dead by now."

"Then why are we having this conversation."

He sighed, "Getting your hands dirty with blood won't impress Kitten."

I crossed the room, knowing Theo wasn't going to stop with the pestering, "Who cares about impressing Thornton."

I let the wall slide shut behind me and made for the stairs...who cared about impressing her...I was too busy trying to keep her alive...

A/N: So what do you think?

Please review!

Kalina