Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.

A/N: So a very kind and talented artist by the name of Haseprabio drew Ky for me! You can find the link to the picture on my profile page! Check out some more of her amazing work on her deviantart profile: haseprabio or her facebook page under the name rabbitmacaron!

This chapter goes out to OnlyHuman123, it's been a long time since someone favorited this story! Thank you!

Happy reading guys!

Kalina

Chapter 64

Ky's POV

"Oh my goodness!"

I giggled as Nessie buried her face in Linus' red shirt as a bludger precisely aimed by Coote smashed Duncan Ingleby's nose and Dean easily reprieved Ingleby of the quaffle and made a beeline for the Claw goal posts.

Len was whistling loudly in appreciation of Dean reclaiming the quaffle, his red and gold scarf sitting snugly about his neck, brightening up his white shirt and distinctly declaring just whose side he was on.

"Oh come on! Left! Left! He's so obviously faking! Keep left! Bloody hell!" My laughter heightened at the look on Roger's face which was currently royal red in anger as he shouted instructions at his old teammates on the ground, sticking out like a sore thumb in his blue shirt amidst the sea of scarlet.

Sarah patted his shoulder sympathetically as Dean scored easily, Mills half falling off his broom as he dived to the right in an attempt to save the goal.

Seamus grabbed me in a tight hug in exultation at his best friend's goal and I smiled as Neville's ears pricked pink as Lavender and Parvarti sandwiched him in an excited embrace.

Mi, who was seated to my left, clapped politely, one of the only spectators who remained in their seat.

Our eyes met and I took a deep breath, knowing that I could hardly complain at her lack of enthusiasm. I had to drag her to the match, which she had initially passed on attending. When she wasn't in class, she was nose deep in a book, studying for Finals and distracting herself thoroughly from any thought concerning Teddy and his recovery. The only moments she spared from her vicious revision schedule were the few moments in the day to read Vez's daily updates on Teddy's condition.

I had a feeling the only way I managed to win the argument about her attendance at this match was due to Vez's latest report enlightening us that he managed to drain all noxious residue from Teddy's vascular system and he had started breathing unassisted.

"OH COME ON!" Bill screamed in anger whilst taking the few steps to the rails which were closest to him as he was seated in the first row. He began gesturing angrily at the Claw beater, Jason Samuels, who had flung his bat at Ginny as she made a beeline for the ground. Fleur began swearing in French at the boy, aiding her husband and our whole stands protestations at the foul move.

Just like Mi, I hadn't planned on pitching up for this match. With Harry not playing, or even in attendance, it felt wrong. Especially since he was currently serving detention with Sev down in the dungeons.

But then Linus, Len and Nessie had pitched up and I could hardly turn down the opportunity of spending a little extra time with them. Apparently with permission, family of the participating players could attend the final, hence Bill, Fleur, Charlie and his girlfriend's presence.

Roger and Sarah were actually on duty and were supposed to be guarding our stands but the brunette auror was oblivious to anything that wasn't happening fifty feet up in the air.

Plus, Harry was in such a horrible mood these past few days. He was loathing the notion of not helping his team to a hopeful victory, as well as embarrassed and disappointed with himself at the looks most of Gryffindor house were throwing at him. I thought a full recap of the game might cheer him up. Especially when I planned on enlightening him on the match details whilst wearing nothing but his quidditch shirt, which I was currently wearing.

"Go! GO! GO!" Charlie had run up to the railing and Len followed suit as they began chanting up at the air and distracting me from my thoughts.

I looked to sky and could see what the excitement was about. Ginny and Cho were neck to neck, ascending at a frightening speed as the stands almost froze with excitement at the display the two seekers were making.

"THAT'S MY GIRL!" Bill and Charlie screamed in unison as they hugged each other in glee as our stand erupted. Even Mi managed to crack a smile as Len swept her up in celebration. Nessie squealed and hugged me, getting her red face paint all over my hair; someone was very amped for their first quidditch match.

I extricated myself from the blonde who had thrown herself at her husband, and manoeuvred my way through the cheering crowd, dodging a trigger happy Colin Creevey who seemed to be attempting to document the whole match with just his photos.

I heard Seamus and the others behind me, but their footsteps slowly disappeared as they turned in the direction of the grounds whilst I made my way to the Castle.

I was in the dungeons in moments, my legs working on muscle memory and pushed open the dark doors with ease.

Sev was on his feet, his wand pointed at me but I brushed the action aside with an energetic laugh. I crossed his office in a matter of steps and jumped onto the dark haired boy whose mouth was currently hanging open with shock, his hands acted on instinct as they settled on my waist for support, "WE WON!"

"WHAT!" Harry gasped, his brows heightening out of his frown as his hug grew fiercer and Sev's office fluttered by in array of colours as he twirled me about.

We stopped in a mass of hysterical giggles, and I dizzily gripped the back of his chair for support.

My laughter slowly became the only sound in the room as Harry seemed to remember himself and silence befell him as he stared into Sev's unwavering black orbs.

Harry cleared his throat and turned back to the stack of sheets on his desk, settling back down in the chair, apparently ready to continue his detention as if he wasn't just informed that he was the Captain of the Quidditch team that currently held the House Championship title.

I looked at Sev, my face still flushed from the exhilaration and my bottom lip stuck out in a pout as his eyes narrowed at the action.

"Go." I sighed, unsure what I expected. Harry had only been in detention for an hour or so. Plus I did barge into his office... I should be happy with just a dismissal. "I will see you back here, in my office, Saturday morning at ten. Sharp."

Harry's mouth fell open and I let out a squeal realising just who Sev was talking to. I launched myself at him, on my tip toes in excitement and flung my hands around his neck. I ignored the frown on his face as I kissed him on the cheek, "I LOVE YOU! You are the absolute BEST!

His eyes dilated slightly at my words as I sat back down on the balls of my feet, and turned to Harry who had already packed up his quill, not waiting for the Potions Master to change his mind. I grabbed his hand and pulled him to the door, turning to Sev who was scowling at us as we exited.

"Just by the way, we beat them 450-140." I gave him a toothy grin as his look of surprise turned to a cold simmer as he did the math in his head, realising that with our 450 points, not only did we beat the Claws to get the Quidditch Cup, but we were currently beating his Snakes and taking the lead for the House Cup.

I pulled the door closed behind me and barely turned around when Harry pulled me into an embrace which lifted me off my feet as he hungrily kissed me. I giggled and he shushed me, glancing nervously at the closed door and walking backwards with me still hovering above the floor like some ethereal spirit.

"The new kit looks even better on you than the old kit does. And I bet a million galleons it will look even better off you..." He murmured as his chaste kiss turned heated with the ministrations of his beckoning lips. He slipped his hand under the much too large shirt which I had gotten from Ron this morning, deciding that if I was to go for the match, I might as well take the old Potter number seven for luck.

I heard the sound of footsteps and we both turned to see a group of Slytherins make their way down from the Entrance Hall. Among them was Travis Davis, his sandy brown hair shading his ice blue eyes as he smirked, "Nice game Potter."

Harry ignored the chide, knowing that it was no compliment but in fact a reminder that he had not participated in the match and we ascended the steps to the Entrance Hall as I glared at Davis, but stilling my hand from reaching for my wand. I was in too good of a mood to let that tosser ruin it.

"HARRY!"

The shout was barely heard over the cacophony of sound as the whole of Gryffindor house seemed to converge in the Entrance Hall. Ron was brandishing the silver cup, as Ginny flung onto Harry, pulling him into a victory hug, releasing my hand in the process.

My smile faltered slightly at the action and I calmed my mind from further thought, concentrating on the image of Neville carrying Coote up on his shoulders, knees buckling and red-faced but sturdy nevertheless.

"-and then I could feel her right next to me, and then I remembered what you said about concentrating purely on the broom trajectory and next thing you know it, I caught it! With my left hand!" Ginny squealed in amazed pride, her voice heightened in her excitement as she finally let go of Harry. Her brown eyes met mines momentarily and next thing I knew I was pulled in a tight embrace.

As she continued her post match dissection to Harry I felt slightly guilty for being jealous. Ginny was just excited, and so she should be. Quidditch was a big deal for most people and she had won them the Cup. I hugged her just as tightly, letting go when I felt someone at my back.

It was Dean and he was completely silent as Ginny furiously recited just what moves she used and how she executed them, but suddenly there was a look of determination on the dark boy's face as he pulled her towards him with a steady hand, lowering his lips to her fast moving ones and stilling them with a deep kiss that made my brow pop up.

I smiled as Harry's expression completely mirrored my own as the nearest Gryffindors wolf whistled at the display.

I could hear Filch yelling in the background but nobody cared much for what he said. I felt Harry's hand on my wrist as we finally untangled ourselves from the mass of arms and lead us out of the circle, my eyes narrowed at the site of lipstick on his cheek and he shrugged innocently, "I have NO idea, but I swear I saw McGonagall in there!"

"OH MY GOD!" I flinched as the shock of blonde fluttered past me and engulfed Harry just as a hand snaked around my shoulders. "THAT WAS AMAZING!" Nessie shouted, finally letting go of Harry and stepping back so he could actually look at her face, "SO much of..of..." She began gesturing swooping motions with her hands as words seem to be beyond her presently.

Linus laughed, pulling his wife a step or two back as she nearly knock Harry's glasses off with her excited gestures, "It was a good game."

"I bet it would have been loads better if you played!" Len laughed as he, Charlie and Charlie's girlfriend, Ileana, joined us, high fiving Harry. "Bet you would have caught the snitch in like five minutes."

"Hey! My baby sister-" Len covered Charlie's mouth and rolled his eyes to the amusement of the redhead's girlfriend.

"What are you all doing here?" Harry asked, and I realised that he had already left for detention when they had showed up. "Not that I'm complaining-" He added quickly as Linus waved his trepidation off.

"The Old Man said that family members were allowed to come and watch the match, with permission of course. Of course, that was before we realised that you weren't playing. We decided to stay anyway."

I glanced at Li, taking in his words with a huge smile as Harry's eyes gleamed up at him. Family members. They came to watch him.

"It's cool though. We'll just come and check you out next year." Linus seemed to take Harry's sudden silence for sullenness that he couldn't play today, not for the truth which was that he was honestly moved by the action.

"Where do you think you're going cap'n!" Coote bellowed as he and Peakes ran up to us, causing Linus to step out of their destructive paths as they caught Harry in some sort of hold and lifted him up into the air, carrying him up the grand staircase.

His emerald green eyes found mine, "I'll see you upstairs!" and I nodded as everyone else followed them, and a burst of pride swelled up within me. Harry may not have won them the match but he did lead them to victory, something they seemed to realise now thankfully.

"I won't keep you from the celebration." Linus nodded to the group that had disappeared up on to the first floor corridor, just in time as the Ravenclaw team had entered the Hall, oblivious to the salt in their wounds action that was taking place right here mere seconds ago.

Cho's face was hidden in Michael's shoulder and I turned away, knowing that my presence would do nothing to cheer the girl up.

"You and Harry are to meet us here, at seven OK? We have a surprise for you." Nessie glanced at Linus with ill repressed glee, "And dress nicely!" She shouted over her shoulder as Linus began pulling her away.

"We've got some business in Hogsmead now. Don't be late!" He added sternly as Len ruffled my hair and followed our brother out the door, Charlie and his girlfriend hot on his heels.

I watched them until they were little spots, off in the distance, recalling doing so three years ago and I curled a hand about myself. So much had changed in those three years.

I twirled around, taking in the now empty Entrance Hall and trying to recall the first time I had set eyes on the place. It wasn't hard. Ever since then, that warm glow of home...of family... never left me. I fiddled with the black dragonstone bracelet on my left wrist...Nonno...

My head snapped to my right as I felt eyes on me and I caught the flash of white blond strads on the steps leading to the dungeons.

I stepped forward instinctively, wanting to walk away from him. But something made me turn around. Something made me follow him down the steps. I glimpsed him at the end of the corridor,

"Malfoy."

He stopped, his back rigid and upright and completely still.

As I walked towards him he got larger and clearer in my eyes.

I saw a light scar peak out from the back of his neck where the Gotu Kola paste didn't catch properly.

I saw the gleam where the light from the torch hit his impeccably shiny black shoes.

I saw the strand of hair near his right ear stick out uncharacteristically.

I saw the breadth of his shoulders loom larger and larger with every step I took.

Yet at the same time he got smaller and smaller.

He was thinner than the boy who paid me a surprise visit in Mi's house during Christmas break.

Paler than the boy who sat with me as we watched our best friends fall in love.

So much smaller than the boy that ran into a blazing fire to rescue me.

When I reached him, he slowly turned, his silver eyes fixed on the statue of Merlin nearest us, "Blaise tells me that Theo is doing much better."

Daphne had been religiously inquiring about Teddy's health, obviously relaying the message to Zabini. I didn't respond, taking in the bags under his eyes which seemed to deepen as the days went by. I had not seen him in the past week, even though he was released from the Wing he had been excused from classes. Recuperating. Apparently.

I glanced at his right hand, staring at the spot that I knew the mark to be. I had seen it clearly the day I had dressed his wounds, too distracted with Alya's presence to give it much thought. But the presence of the black ink, the skull, and the snake... uglier in its trilogy... loomed in my minds eyes.

"I-"

"You keep choosing wrong." Whatever he was about to say was quickly forgotten as his lips pursed at my words. "I've spent the last few months making excuses for you. In my head. Trying to understand the full extent of the burden you have on your shoulder but I realised now... you keep choosing wrong."

"I don't have a choice." He whispered, his nostrils flaring, "I don't have the luxury."

I shook my head in the negative, "There was always a choice. And I think I defended every single one of yours until the day you chose her. Alya."

"She's-"

"I know." I snapped over him. "I know everything she is capable of. And so do you. Yet you held me there like some offering for slaughter." My voice was steady and devoid of the previous joy that seemed to radiate from within me.

"She didn't hurt you. I knew she wouldn't do anything drastic. Not in Hogwarts." He muttered quickly, taking a step forward, "I knew she wouldn't... she wouldn't go far. She didn't have her wand out." His eyes flickered to the side as he recited the words that lulled his guilty conscious.

I shook my head, "I'm not here to listen to whatever you thought. I'm here to tell you one thing. You made a choice Malfoy. And that's a choice that I cannot look past. I can look past that choice," I pointed at his arm, "But not Alya."

I looked down at the ground, at his shiny black shoes and thought about Selina. About what she had endured as Alya stood and watched.

Evil will prevail if all good men do nothing. It was an old adage. Yet it spoke volumes. To sit and watch was as good as participating. Teddy knew the difference. He could have easily denied his relationship with Mi, yet he proclaimed it and nearly died because of it.

The fact that Malfoy was willing to stand aside and watch Alya do whatever she had planned to do to me spoke volumes of his character. More than that the mark, or his words, or any of his previous actions. What else was Malfoy planning to sit back and watch happen?

Malfoy was not good. And I was a fool for trying to plunder any goodness out of him.

"I wish you chose differently." My voice cracked and I was momentarily stunned at the tears that leaked out. I didn't blame myself for them. I had held it in my heart for so long that he was capable of change. Stubbornly. I wanted to be able to salvage him, because so many times I could see the plea for help in his eyes. And even though I loved Harry, Malfoy was there for me when I felt most alone.

Malfoy had run into a burning building for me. Malfoy. Who thought of nobody but himself?

I turned on my heel, wiping at my face, knowing just like when I entered this corridor that this man that stood here now was not the Draco Malfoy that I grew to care for.

"Ky." I stopped, wiping at my chin as somewhere deep inside me, on this somewhat nostalgic day I remember a thought I once had.

There will come a time when Draco Malfoy would have to make a decision that would endanger another's life again at the sake of his own safety, and when that time comes he would choose the path riddled with pain and not guilt, because one of those leave scars that fade in time and the other doesn't. It was up to me to show him...

It was with that thought that I turned back to him. One last chance. Maybe I had shown him enough... maybe he was ready to choose differently.

His silver eyes shone like mercury, almost liquid, and his light pink lips fell open yet he never spoke. I waited, three seconds longer than I should and then he turned.

Making his way deeper within the dungeons.

Making his choice.

I laughed at Bill's re-enactment of Charlie's reaction to his first chest hair. Charlie glowered at his brother who was seated across from him as he continued to explain that he then plucked it and still has it stashed away somewhere.

"I'm sorry! We all can't have a full chest of hair by the age of sixteen. It's creepy." Charlie added as Ileana slapped him playfully in scolding as Fleur rubbed Bill's chest through his grey shirt in response.

"I zink itz sexzy." She purred and I caught Harry's eye as we smirked in unison.

Fleur had downed half a bottle of champagne and seemed to get pretty randy when tipsy. Bill's face was reddening as her hands seemed to flutter all about him and we allowed them some privacy, turning to the conversation Nessie was having over us with Sev.

Nessie had surprised us with a celebratory dinner she had planned in The Three Broomsticks. She rented out the pub for the night and initially I was sceptical of the surprise. Felt like there was a hidden agenda. But then I realised that this is Nessie. She loved throwing parties and it had been months since she was let out of the house so I could hardly blame her.

"I mean, if it were just snuck in. Or if one of the researchers were confounded and then someone goes and formulates the cure for them and when they're back to their senses, ta-da, the cure for cancer, nobody's going to care about the how, as long as it works!"

Sev placed his fork and knife down, his elbow nudging me slightly with the motion as he had finished his meal... save for the peas. I chuckled to myself as he dabbed at his mouth, "It sounds simple Agnes, but there's about a ton of laws that it breaks. And the most basic being the fact that we, as wizards, don't have cancer so why find a cure for it?"

"Wait, what?" I gasped, "We can't get cancer. That can't be right?"

"It's true." Sev nodded, turning to me with a sage look on his face, "It's never been documented. I read an article by a Healer specialised in the study of pathologies, and he compared muggle diseases to those we experience and he seems to think genetically we're immune to cancer."

"Well that's like saying with gene therapy or something like that, a muggle can alter their genes and become a wizard."

"If it was so one dimensional." He smirked at the look of interest on my face, "Gene sequences are just one thing Bane. There are platitudes of theories as to what makes us magical. Healing magic is vast and confusing. Why do we have Dragon Pox? Why don't the muggles?"

"Why haven't we figured out the cure for near sightedness as yet?" Harry added, chuckling as he gestured to his glasses. Sev looked at him and I watched as his whole body seemed to stiffen from the relaxed nature he held five seconds prior.

"They've been trying. Something about the optic nerve's connection to the brain, I haven't bothered with it." Sev's voice was far from pleasant, but it held no contempt. I was surprised he even responded to Harry. Actually I was surprised he even showed up, but I suspect that had a lot to do with Nessie. He had something of a soft spot for my blonde sister-in-law.

"You're very fond of healing magic Severus." Nessie smiled, "Maybe a change in profession is in order."

Harry squeezed my hand excitedly under the table at the prospect of Sev leaving the field of teaching and I glowered at him, so much for playing nice.

I glanced up at Sev whose face had become very contemplative. He let the waitress clear away his dishes, muttering in a soft voice, "I have no patience for such things."

My head was cocked to the side as I observed him as he glanced down at me, clearing his throat and turning his attention to me with a small smile, "Now Bane, you're edging closer and closer to the end of your school year. Have you decided on a career path?"

Suddenly the left side of the table fell away from their conversations, eager for my answer and I rolled my eyes, "Jeez, you guys. It's like a WHOLE year."

"One year is but a blink in time Bane." I sighed at Minnie, so was this what this supper was about? Gang up on Ky until she decides what she wants to do with her life.

"Yeah... but-"

"I've been reading up on wizarding professions and a lot of them require early applications." Linus' voice never sounded more annoying to me, "Like Healing needs a summer internship just to be considered."

"OK, I don't want to be a healer." I shrugged in annoyance.

"Then what-"

"I don't know what I want to be." I snapped, "What does it even matter?"

"What do you mean what does it even matter." Minnie's glasses sat on her nose as her jade green eyes glared at me, "This is your future, Bane."

"I know. MY future." I added for emphasis, "And don't you think it's a bit stupid to even discuss this."

"What?" Nessie frowned as Harry's hand rested on my knee, sensing my agitation.

"It's not like we can go be what we want to be. Yeah it's all fun to go for quidditch matches and have fancy dinner parties... it's really lovely." I directed at Nessie, so she knew that I wasn't complaining. "But this is just... dreaming. When we're done with school... we join the Order."

I wished Ron was here. He would support my wishes.

There was a cumulative sigh from all the adults at the table and I groaned. So much for one blissful, peaceful day.

"Well it's not that simple." Len spoke first, and then smiled wide, "We don't take in just any riff raff."

I laughed, I could always count on Len to lighten the mood, "How about riff raff with your surname."

"We're especially hard on them." Linus added, letting the matter fall. "But we'll let you know when we are looking to hire." He added generically with a patronizing smile which was momentarily blocked by Madam Rosmerta clearing his place.

I smirked at Sev and turned to the landlady, "Madam Rosmerta. Need any help cleaning up; Professor Snape has such an affinity for doing the dishes."

His dark eyes narrowed at me as I waggled my eyebrows at him as Madam Rosmerta blushed yet waved off the suggestion.

We all stood and made our way to the door, Harry grabbing our coats and smiling appreciatively at the scarlet mini dress I was wearing as he slipped on my black coat.

We exited the shop and I was surprised at how chilly it was outside. Night as snuck up on us whilst we were busy enjoying each other's company, some more than others. I laughed as Bill extricated himself from Fleur who kept trying to make out with him. He smiled at me, blushing as he waved us goodbye and dragged his fiancé away.

I watched in curiosity as Ileana handed Sev a letter which he pocketed quickly and I frowned. That was odd.

Linus distracted me by pecking me on the cheek, followed by a tight hug by Nessie and an even bigger peck by Len.

"We heard about the duel." Linus spoke to Harry, his voice low, he raised his hand as Harry hastened to explain, "You don't have to explain. You did what you had to do. You learnt from your mistakes. What's done is done. I prefer you to act rather than the opposite."

"Yeah, especially considering Ky's your girlfriend. She's bound to drag you into lots and lots of trouble, Kid." Len's warning had too much of pride in it for me to take any offense in the matter.

I leaned my head against Harry's shoulder, too comfortable in the warmth of his black coat. I was sleepy.

"Somehow I think you two will be just fine though." Linus shook Harry's hand as he smiled at me, amused by the yawn I stifled into Harry's shoulder. "Len and I are heading back out on assignment tomorrow." His eyes flittered to Nessie who was staring at the ground, "We might only be back when you're on Summer Vacation. In the mean time, study hard! I love you."

I let him kiss me again, saddened by the actual reason for this dinner. They were leaving. But there were no more Palbei? What were they on assignment for? I knew better than to ask.

Len shook Harry's hand and bade us goodbye, joining Bill, Fleur, Charlie and Ileana at the apparition spot.

I turned, watching Fil and Mona, Minnie and Sev make their way back to the castle and slipped my hand through Harry's and trudged along behind them.

"That was nice." Harry whispered down to me.

That was nice. If only Nonno was there. I glanced behind me at the apparition spot, almost as if he would magically appear. Just then there was movement in one of the windows and I caught a piercing, midnight blue gaze.

Just as I opened my mouth, I blinked, and it was gone.

Nothing but white curtain.

"Ky?"

I shook my head in the negative, it was a long day and it seemed to be having an effect on me. I leaned further into Harry, as we made our way back to Hogwarts. Back home.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated

Kalina