A/n: Thanks to my beta Hunter's Heir! **Not yet edited!
The suspicious mind believes more than it doubts. It believes in a formidable and ineradicable evil lurking in every person.
~Eric Hoffer
After reading through most of my mother's journal, I'm convinced that the things I'm going through must be natural for a Siren. I guess I believe things more because I actually know my mother and I really do trust her. Things feel more real now that I've had a glance at things through her eyes. I haven't read the entire journal yet but I've read over half by the time I pass out beside Draco.
I wake up in heat the next morning. The prat slithered over in the middle of the night, and now he's firmly pressed against my back, arm around my waist. I don't mind that so much, as I would find this position super comfortable if not for his friend poking me in the rear. It awakes feelings deep inside of me that I was hoping to keep under wraps while we're out here alone in this little hotel.
Lust. I need a shower, and I need it right now. If he wakes up before I do we're going to kiss, and that won't be good while feelings are growing inside me. My lust always builds so quickly around him. Gently removing his arm I wiggle out from the bed, feeling accomplished. Well, that wasn't so bad.
It probably would've been a success too if I didn't trip over one of his shoes, hitting the floor. He's up and at my side before I even realize that I'm on the ground. In one fluid motion he has me on the bed again sitting up, hand on my head.
"Are you alright."
Graceless, but alright. "Yeah I'm fine," I sigh, lifting my foot to rub my toes. "You're shoes just tried to kill me."
"Yeah, I forgot that you might trip over them this morning."
I arch an eyebrow. "Are you saying I'm naturally klutzy? Usually I'm not like this."
"Yes, I'm aware."
My attention is immediately diverted when he stands and sits beside me. Between his hips lies a rather large, hard looking object that's straining to be released from the confides of his pajamas. I'm pretty sure my cheeks are on fire.
It's not as though I've never seen one, I've just never seen his.
Apparently, my staring isn't very modest. Instead of immediately calling me out though he grabs my arms, distracting me, and draws my face with his hands towards his lips. It's the gentlest kiss we've ever shared.
But it doesn't take long for teenage hormones to kick in, and accompanied by the basic needs of my Siren genes and his typical male genetics we're lying down running our hands over each other in no time. I'm only slightly alarmed.
This isn't like my parent's house, his bedroom or the corridors at school. This is like nothing before. Here no one is going to interrupt us, and I doubt that anyone actually knows we're here. We're completely alone, and nothing will break us apart except for us. And that little fact has me worrying that we're going too fast. I just have a bad feeling about what happens at the end of sex.
Surprisingly, Draco breaks away first, groaning and swearing. I frown from my position beneath him, watching him grab a towel and stalk off towards the shower.
"What are you doing?" I ask a bit dazed. He pauses at the door and drops his head, running fingers through his hair.
"You're not ready Granger," is all he says, shaking his head. "Trust me, I can tell. I've learned these things after a few tries. But I have a problem to fix, so I'll be back in a little bit." He slams the door shut before I can say anymore.
I lie back and groan. He's completely right, I'm not ready to go all the way with him, even if I have to at some point. I just don't want to rush into things, especially now that I feel like something happens afterwards. I feel like there's more tied to this Siren business than just sex.
Funny thing is, if we would just fuck each other then I wouldn't really be in danger anymore. Once we've slept together the characteristics that make me susceptible to being cut open and used to cure someone goes away.
Malfoy's just too much of a gentleman to push things. I'm ashamed to say I'm moderately surprised by that.
I've written a letter to my mother and father apologizing about how things ended. I thought about going back and talking to them about what happened in person, but decided against it. Whoever happens to be watching me, I don't want to draw more attention to that house for them. I will keep them safe no matter what.
A little while after that, something truly strange happened. Draco's parents sent a letter. He was only a little uneasy as we opened it up.
Son~
We've heard a crazy tale that you're gallivanting about with that Mudblood friend of Harry Potter's. I'm assuming, and hopefully correctly, that this is nothing more than a rumor. The two of you simply left Hogwarts at the same time, right?
I'm owling simply to tell you how things will be for Christmas in a few weeks. You're father expects you here as usual, and we're holding a ball again, as usual. Just because there was a war doesn't mean we can't fall back into the old traditions. Expect to see a lot of people over the holiday. It's time we fell back in favor with our old friends.
Draco, do not be caught dead with that girl. I will not stand for it, and your father might just kill her. She is forbidden, and you will not associate with her much less have relations deeper than that.
~Mother
It was not the most pleasant letter that I've ever read. Honestly I thought the Malfoy's might've evolved just a hair since the war as far as their thinking goes. Apparently, that wasn't so. Only Draco seems to have adverted his ways. That probably shouldn't surprise me so much.
When he's finished, he tears up the letter. That doesn't surprise me at all.
"I knew someone would blab to her," he groans, sitting on the bed. "It was probably Nott. He used to come to my home all the time, and he knows my parents well enough. He would feel perfectly comfortable screwing my life by alerting them of something like that."
"So I've noticed. Well, it sounds like we have until Christmas to break your parents heart. They might be more dangerous than our stalker right now."
"Possibly," he scoffs, shaking his head. "Unless you're pregnant my mother isn't going to feel anything for you."
I blush at that. "Why would it matter if I was pregnant or not?"
"She has this obsession with children. Loves them. When I was young I was absolutely spoiled- but you know that. She'd get stuck on the idea of having a grandchild and would start buying things instead of lecturing us. Then we would only have to worry about my father."
"Let's not jump ahead of ourselves," I say tensely, hands coming to rest on my tummy. "We're not there yet."
"I know Hermione. I wasn't suggesting anything, really, I'm just thinking out loud."
"Okay. Besides, she might not be as open to things if the child's only a Halfblood."
He shakes a finger at me. "You never know Hermione. From the sound of things, you might actually be a Halfblood yourself. Then the child would be more than a Halfblood and she would probably appeal to that."
I bite my lip. "Draco-"
"Again, I'm not suggesting anything. You don't need to go out and have tests done to figure out whether or not you're a Halfblood or a muggle born. I'm just pointing out that it's a possibility both ways." He reaches out, grabs my hand and kisses it. "I'm sorry I brought it up."
"No, it's okay," I sigh, not used to this romantic Draco. "Let's go out and about for a bit. I can't possibly do anymore reading for today."
"You think it's smart to go wandering about? Nott accomplice could be anywhere."
"Yeah, and if we hide behind that fact forever we're going to become hermits trying to keep me safe. Come on Draco, we're in Diagon Alley for Circe's sake! I doubt that Nott's accomplice even knows we're here. Besides, we've both handled ourselves before. Together we'll be perfectly fine."
He hesitates a moment. "Let me grab my shoes."
"Oh good, now I won't have anything to trip over tomorrow morning." He nudges me playfully, and I grin. I'm really growing to like this new version of Malfoy.
"I'm stuffed," I groan as we slowly wander back towards our room through the crowded street. "That was delicious."
"Yeah, it helps to be friends with people who own restaurants like that," he says cockily.
"Draco, your family owns the restaurant. I'm surprised the lady who seated us didn't ask what we were doing out of school. We'll be lucky if she doesn't say something to your mother."
"Oh, don't worry about that. Her name was Veronica, and she's positively terrified of my parents. She only works there because my parents have little to no involvement in that restaurant. Trust me, we'll be fine."
"Why is she afraid of your parents?"
He shoots me a look. "Do you really need to ask?"
Oh, right. The whole Death Eater bit and being buddies with Voldemort. I see how that could terrify some people. I adjust my coat, having draped it over my arm instead of wearing it since the sun's out today. Draco offered four times to take it, but I keep shooting him down. I can carry my own coat.
Rounding a corner I bump into someone, and we both topple over. Maybe it would've done to hold Draco's hand after all. He helps me up long before glancing at who ran into my, and I can feel how tight his grip is on my hands. He can't seriously be worried that the stalker just ran into me, can he?"
"Ginny?" I ask, seriously stumped when I look back at the girl on the ground. Despite Draco's protests I offer her my hand, narrowing my eyes. "What are you doing out here."
"Oh- I was collecting medicine. My father's sick," she says, looking between us. Her words seem a bit rushed, and I study what she dropped. Well, there are a few bottles there.
"Ginny, shouldn't you be in school?"
"Shouldn't you be in school?"
Sharp tongue for someone who knows why I felt. "Yes but, I was given leave so I could explain to my parents what's happening to me… what are you doing out here again?"
"Oh, right. My dad's gotten really sick recently. Mum asked Dumbledore to let me go home for a few days and help out, and she sent me to get some medicine and potion ingredients."
"Why isn't he just at St. Mungo's?" Draco asks, and I have to agree. That seems like the most logical place for him to be."
"He's already been there and they did what they could. He just needs bed rest and help but right now mum's too busy so she had me come home. I should be back to school by tomorrow or the following day. And you guys?"
"Soon," he says before I can. It doesn't escape me that he's keeping his answers very bland. "Well, we must be going Weasley. We have places to be."
"Right, of course. You have to deal with this crazy thing happening to you."
"Yeah," I agree, waving goodbye as Draco practically drags me away. When we're around the next corner I turn and glare at him. "What was that for?"
"You're not telling me that you actually believed that crazy lie of hers are you? I mean come on Granger it was pretty pathetic."
"Yes, it was. But if we hung around a bit longer maybe we could've gotten the truth out of her. I find her appearance a bit weird too. Usually Dumbledore doesn't let you leave school unless it's something severe like our situation, and if it was bad enough I feel like Ron would've been released too."
"Good point. Maybe it's time you owl those friends of yours."
"Yeah, maybe. I can't think of any real reason why Ginny would be so far out of the school boundaries. I mean, this definitely isn't Hogsmeade."
"No, it's not. I must say Hermione, I'd be quite interested to learn what she's doing out here."
"So would I."
"So, you lost it?"
"Yeah, I'm not sure where it went. I had the blasted jumper when we were walking back from the restaurant."
"You don't think little Weasley snatched it up after we left, do you Hermione?"
I frown. "Maybe. If I left it behind she might've picked it up. I'll check with her when we return to school."
He nods, but doesn't look convinced. I'm pretty sure Draco has more opinions on Ginny then I do right now. He doesn't trust her one bit, and I don't blame him. Her story didn't really add up.
I owled Harry and Ron, but no response yet. Hopefully there will be before too long. I would like to fall asleep tonight feeling like I know why Ginny was here. I'm pretty sure her story was a lie, in fact I know it. I just don't know why she would have a reason to not be at school. I mean, Harry's there and since she's so iffy about my situation she sure as hell didn't leave to come find me. She didn't even act like she really wanted to see me.
I have more questions than ever in the back of my mind right now, but one question rings strong. Ginny had no reason to be out of Hogwarts, yet we somehow ran into each other.
It's almost too perfect, almost like she wanted our paths to cross, but why?
In the back of my mind, I'm marking Ginny down as suspect number three. Things are just too iffy right now, and considering my life's on the line, I just can't take any chances.
A/n: This chapter had lots of little things in it. Keep those reviews coming darlings!
So I probably can't respond to reviews for a while, because I've started working on my first book. We'll see how it goes. Once it gets written though, then it's a matter of finding publishers though. Ah, publishers.
Thoughts?