Wanting Something More
Chapter Twenty: Wanting Peace
The return to Hogwarts came far too quickly. Harry had desired he hide away Brittany somewhere she would be safe until the war was over. Brittany of course decided she would be just fine and wanted to see her other friends as well. She kept checking to see if her hair had changed to red seeing as she felt she had become a part of their family. She also missed Scarlett and Nix something fierce. The moment the reached platform nine and three quarters for the return trip she bolted when she spotted the pair.
Harry about lost his mind in that moment. "Brittany, be careful. Wait a minute and we'll look for them together." Damn it, lost her. He frantically searched for a few minutes before Nix came into view. He ran to the male in a frenzy. "Phoenix have you seen her?"
Nix just smirked. "Your woman is just fine. Brittany and Scarlett have decided to go to the compartment. Seth's waiting in there for them."
Harry sighed in relief. "You know, she sometimes just flies off the handle. I bet she'd be in less danger if she was a little more careful."
"The same could be said for you Harry." Hermione scolded.
"She's right mate. You're pretty reckless." Ron agreed.
"I'm not the only one." Harry argued.
"Let's go sit down already. You're vibrating Harry." Ginny grumbled. "Seth's with Brittany, she's fine."
The group all piled into the compartment and Brittany then jumped on Nix as soon as he entered. Harry seemed confused at this and glared at the male. Nix just shrugged. He patted her head after a few moments. "Are you trying to assimilate with me or something? I doubt very much Harry will like that."
"I missed you Nix! Also I heard you finally asked Scarlett out I'm so proud!" Brittany exclaimed.
"Ah."
"Ah, that's it? She's attached herself to you Phoenix." Harry huffed.
"She was like that to me earlier. She just let go to congratulate Nix." Scarlett explained.
"This is how she congratulates someone?" Ron asked confused. "'Mione we need to get another compartment."
"Gabe and Serena have there own next to ours. They just left. Brittany congratulated them as well, just with less passion. She's overloaded with joy, I think she might be stuck." Seth offered.
"We'll good luck with that." Hermione offered and moved to the next compartment with her boyfriend.
"Britt you need to let go now." Blaise demanded.
Brittany looked up and attached herself to her brother. "Blaise! Father didn't do anything to mother did he?"
"She was just fine. Apparently he's been sulking and she's been singing again. So that's a good sign." Blaise offered. He looked back to the compartment across from them and back at his sister. "Listen I'm glad you're good but I'm kind of catching up with some people. I'll talk to you later tonight okay."
Brittany had a look of horror on her face and let go of her brother. "What did I do wrong?" She was almost near tears.
Blaise leaned in, "I'm catching up with a female friend alright. Just leave it be and get your butt in the compartment and attach yourself to your boyfriend."
Blaise then pried himself away from her and dashed back into his compartment. Harry turned back to Brittany confused. "Are you alright?"
"Everyone's finally gotten together and now they all want to run away. Blaise is even off snogging some girl. He didn't even tell me who."
"We're here! Scarlett and Nix replied together.
"That's so cute!" Brittany cheered.
"She's paranoid." Seth pointed out. "Any moment Draco's going to come asking about the necklace. Then he's going to find out and it's going to be a huge fight."
"How did you?" Ginny asked.
"It's the mood swings. She can't decide whether to be scared or thrilled. Blaise noticed too." He pointed out.
Harry relaxed a little. "Come here and let's just relax and talk about how our holiday's were. We'll deal with the prick when we have to."
An hour into the train ride Draco had come sniffing around. He was coming from the end of the train where he checked Ron's compartment first. They all heard the ensuing arguments. Harry reached to get out his invisibility cloak. Scarlett held up her hand and smirked. Nix shook his head.
"She's owes Malfoy for threatening to send his sluts after me." Nix offered with a wicked smile.
"You think she'll be alright?" Harry wondered.
"She'll be just fine." Seth promised. "Scarlett can handle my cousin."
Scarlett glared at Malfoy for all she was worth. "Some of us are trying to enjoy some peace and quiet Malfoy."
Draco turned to Scarlett and his eyes lit up. "She's in there. Great. Nott can you please ask her to come out?"
"How about no. Last time we interacted you threatened to send all your fangirls after my boyfriend. I think the three of us are going to catch up without you. Harry's in there at the ready with Ginny and Seth to blow you to kingdom come. So why don't you just go back to your fans and leave well enough alone."
Draco tried not to glare the infuriating woman to death and half succeeded. "Nott, I just want to talk with her. I haven't seen her since the train."
"Neither have we. We're her best friends. She's in good hands and is happy. She would have come out if she wanted to talk. She'll come out when she wants. Now I want you to leave because we were in the middle of telling her just how Nix has confessed. She's busy. I'll let her know you stopped by." Scarlett smirked. "I could always give you a Scarlett kick as a late Christmas Present."
"Don't threaten me Nott." He growled.
"Then don't interrupt." She shrugged.
"I'll go in there if I want." He shot back in defiance.
"No you won't." She stepped aside. "You've got four people in there with wands ready. I'll be out here ready to plant one in the family jewels. Go ahead if it's so important to you."
Draco groaned. "You really are making it hard to be nice."
"Well if you weren't such an asshole I wouldn't have to. I haven't kicked you yet. Keep being nice and I may one day not even threaten bodily harm if you want to talk to her." She offered. "Keep being an ass and I get to keep my kick in good shape."
Draco threw his hands in the air. "Fine. I'll see her at some point. Just tell her I hoped her Christmas at the Weasel's was at least passable, and I missed her."
"Will do." Scarlett smiled. "I hope yours was as well. Hey make sure you tell Parkinson Brittany says she hoped she liked the gift."
"What gift?" Draco asked confused.
"A peace offering of sorts." Scarlett shrugged. "Parkinson has been keeping your rabid fangirls from attacking her anymore and she wanted to thank her. You might want to as well."
"I might do that." Draco offered.
"See that you do. Bye Malfoy." Scarlett then moved to enter the compartment. "Congratulations on you and Rivers by the way."
Scarlett turned in shock. "Thanks."
Draco was already leaving. "Out of the way Weasel."
She reentered the compartment and sat next to Nix dumbfounded. "He congratulated us, and I didn't have to kick him in the nuts to get him out of here."
"He must have had a good Christmas." Seth surmised. "Surprising."
"Or he's honestly trying to be nice to win Brittany over." Ginny replied just as shocked.
"Either way let's just be glad the peace we've had is intact for a little while longer." Brittany offered.
Harry said nothing but held the one he loved tightly. He grunted his agreement. He could not shake the feeling that something was about to happen. He did not like the fact that Malfoy just moved on. From what Blaise had told them Mr. Zabini had gone to Lucius. It made no sense that Lucius Malfoy had not told his son what had happened. Harry was on edge even more than if Draco had come into the compartment swinging spells and frothing at the mouth.
The peace the group had lasted for the first week without much incident. Pansy had reported that Draco had thanked her, and then thanked her again a few more times. Brittany shuddered but told the girl she was happy she had made progress. Pansy had shown her the matching locked with her and Draco's images and they all felt relieved. If Draco pushed they had him in a bind. Sadly the peace was not to last forever. War was looming and peace was such a fragile thing. Something was bound to happen the closer they drew to the end of the year.
The last day of the week back the Silver Trio was leaving Defense Against the Dark Arts together. Seth and Serena had run ahead to find Ginny and Gabriel. The Gryffindors had Charms with the Ravenclaws while they had DADA with the Hufflepuffs. Brittany was still smiling like a loon whenever she saw Scarlett and Nix holding hands. She could not do so with Harry so she took joy in seeing her best friends the happiest they had ever been.
"Hey, Scarlett I think I forgot my book in Professor Anya's classroom. I'm going to run back in there." Brittany offered.
Scarlett paused and sighed. "Let's go back Nix."
Brittany waved them off. "I'll be fine. It's not like I'll be attacked outside her classroom. No one's that stupid. I'll catch up I promise."
Brittany had felt bad intruding on their time together so much. Harry was being pressured by Snape to take more lessons. They had not been able to spend much time together so Scarlett and Nix picked up guard duty.
"Brittany, Harry would have our heads if you got hurt." Nix tried to reason with her.
Brittany put on 'the look.' "I'm not made of glass. Malfoy's being surprisingly good lately. I'm sure it will be fine. If I need help I'll scream. Just go ahead."
Nix did not want to leave his best friend alone. Then again he really wanted to spend a little bit of time alone with his girl. "Fine. If I don't see you in an hour I'm going to get Harry and Scarlett is going to come find you."
"Thanks Nix, you're the best."
"I don't think this is a good idea."
"She's already gone. She wanted to give us alone time." Nix reasoned pulling Scarlett closer and wrapping an arm around her waist. "She'll be fine."
"Yeah yeah." Scarlett sighed and snuggled into her boyfriends arm.
Brittany walked slowly towards the Great Hall too meet up with everyone. It worked perfectly. Now they can eat dinner together and I'll come rushing in last minute and make up some excuse. I'm so happy for them.
Brittany began unconsciously playing with the locket. She was tracing her finger over the oval shape. Her mind flew to Harry immediately and a goofy grin plastered itself all over her face. She even let out a little giggled and though about how grumpy he had been lately. He missed having her around all the time. He also disliked her pointing out he needed to do well to fulfill his dream. Gods I love him. Oh Harry.
"You're wearing it." A voice whispered out with such reverence, she almost forgot to whom that voice belonged.
"M-malfoy." Brittany stammered out, turned around to face him. She immediately put it back inside her shirt. "You scared me."
"Sorry." He offered. "What are you doing without you're armed guards?"
"I was letting them have some time to themselves." Brittany replied honestly with a shrug.
"No Potter I see." Draco smiled even brighter. Could she be considering this finally?
"No, he's off with Hermione and Ron studying. Hermione's orders." Brittany responded with ease. She slowly increased her pace. Growl stomach growl so I can make a reason to get out of here. "We're meeting up at the Great Hall for dinner."
"Oh, well perhaps we can talk a little first." Draco offered.
"Sorry Malfoy I made plans. I really should get back. Harry get's grumpy if I'm not on time." She let slip.
"Who cares if Potty get's grumpy. I'm your fiance and since I'm being nice he should have no problems waiting a little bit." Draco pushed.
"Maybe some other time." Brittany smiled.
"I've been pretty patient. You spent the whole Holiday out of my reach, heck the whole school year. I insist." Draco growled, becoming increasingly annoyed at her rejection.
"Please Malfoy, just let me go spend time with my friends." She begged as she started looking left and right as Draco closed in.
"Not this time. We need to talk." He hissed as he grabbed her arm, threw a hand over her mouth and pushed her into a classroom and then shut the door behind him.
"Malfoy, what the hell is wrong with you?" Brittany yelled.
Draco waved his wand over the door. "Now you can yell as much as you want, they can't hear you."
"You asshole. I thought you might actually be trying but you're still a little shit!" She hollered.
"You tease. Stop playing hard to get. You're wearing my necklace, you even had some stupid happy grin on while you played with it. Now stop pretending." Draco demanded.
"So what. I might have been thinking about something else entirely. It goes well with my earrings." Brittany lied.
"Bullshit." Draco counter and moved quickly to her side.
Brittany backed herself into a corner and wanted to face palm. How the fuck does he always back me into these situations. "Back off Malfoy."
"Not this time." He repeated and his hand moved towards her. Brittany moved her leg intending to knee him where the sun never shone. "Ah, ah, ah." Draco pulled out his wand and held it to her neck. "I'd hate to have to bind you, but I will my love."
Brittany had watched the crazy slowly enter his eyes and she began to shiver. "Please let me go Draco. Harry will come looking."
"Fuck Harry Potter, you're mine and you're done hiding!" He screamed. He grabbed her necklace and smirked. "And now you have no hope to escape me."
Brittany glared for all she's worth. Draco looked down and the pendant and wondered why he didn't feel the rush of magic. He was supposed to feel the seal break and recognize him. His father assured him it would work. His Aunt had done the spell herself. "Impossible!" He hissed.
"What's wrong Draco? Something not go according to plan?" Brittany teased. Later on reflection she would realize taunting him was really, really, Ron level of stupid.
Draco glared and pulled his wand down from her neck and tried to open the locket. When it opened he smiled for a moment, until he saw his rival staring back at him with a cocky grin and then moved over to the woman he was supposed to have and kiss her. Draco's mind went blank for a few moments, unable to process what had happened.
"You let Potter touch it." He repeated over and over, growing louder each repeat. Finally he lost it. "You dirty slut. You fucking let Potter touch it. You stupid traitorous bitch! When I'm threw with you he'll never look at you again!" He screamed.
Brittany saw the crazy look in his eyes intensify to a level where she was so terrified she was rooted to the spot. "Malfoy, please just leave. I won't say anything just walk away."
"I'm never walking away from you. You are mine, who cares about some old matchmaking locket. I'm going to take you for myself whether you're willing or not." His glare was so deadly Brittany knew what was about to occur.
His Fist flew back and slammed into her stomach. "You filthy slut. I've wanted nothing but to please you." His foot reared back and slammed into her side. "I was going to make you queen after all this was over." He kicked her again and then grabbed her by the back of the head. "I was going to make you the happiest woman on the planet. Now I'm going to have to break you before I can look at you without wanting to hurt you." He slammed her head into the ground. The blood rushed out of her nose and she screamed. "Scream all you want you bitch. I'll send you to the healers at Malfoy manor and you'll never leave there again."
"Let me go. Help Harry! Harry Help Me!" She screamed her nose felt broken, her ribs too.
"What has he done to you? Where has that half-blood touched you?" Draco growled and kissed her harshly biting at her lips, tearing the flesh a little. "I'm sure he's kissed you so I'll have to erase him from your lips, but what about everywhere else he's touched?"
He grabbed her hand and snapped one of the fingers back. "He's held your hand, so I'll have to break each of these fingers." He proceeded to do so with glee.
"Stop it, no more." She begged.
"I warned you love. I warned you not to anger me. You've brought this on yourself." He purred as he moved to the other hand.
"I'll never love you. You'll have to kill me because I'm his!" She shouted back defiantly. "I'll always be his and never yours!" She screamed out.
"We'll see." He shouted. "Once this war starts and Voldemort wins I'll ask for the body to give to you as I take what I want from you forever. You'll break one day. You've always been too weak to resist me."
"I haven't!" A voice growled back. "Stupefy!"
Before Draco could dodge out of the way Brittany grabbed his leg to hold him in place. Brittany looked up to see her savior, her white knight, her very livid boyfriend. "Harry!" She cried.
When Harry saw the state she was in he turned to Draco with such hate in his eyes. "I should kill you right here. It would keep her safe. But I won't stoop to your level. You'll never see her again Malfoy. I'm taking her away and keeping her safe from you. When I kill Voldemort I'll have you and your family thrown in Azkaban for what you did to her!"
"What is going on here?" A voice bellowed from the door way.
"Oh Merlin, Brittany!" Scarlett screamed.
"Fuck, Malfoy what the fuck did you do to her?" Nix yelled.
"Merlin, what is going on?" Professor Anya gasped.
"Everyone silence!" Snape yelled. "Potter you and Miss Zabini are coming with me to the Hospital Wing. Professor Anya I expect you will stay here until Miss Nott and Mr. Rivers return with Professor Cortana. Draco I pray Miss Zabini's parents do not press charges. You'll have detention the rest of this year for starters. I'll decide what your punishment entails further!"
"Detention? You are going to let this sack of shit go with detention?" Scarlett screamed.
"Calm yourself Miss Nott. I will not be questioned. Now do as ordered or find yourself facing punishment as well. Move it." Snape growled as he spun.
Harry was so livid he kept held his tongue towards Snape and gingerly picked up his broken love. He shook with rage and glared at Scarlett and Nix. "You should be thankful she's alive."
They both looked ashamed. "She's going to be alright isn't she Professor?" Scarlett asked Professor Anya with tears in her eyes.
"Physically yes, but I'm not sure otherwise. Severus you better be sure we should not expel this boy now." She snapped. "I'll make sure Cortana knows how I feel, as well as the board."
"I'll explain the situation once I know what is going on and make my decision then." Snape replied with barely hidden anger. "Now let's go. Miss Zabini needs medical attention."
"I should have never listened to her Harry, I'm sorry." Nix apologized.
"No, I should have taken her someplace safe the moment I told her I loved her." Harry shot back. His heart breaking at the sobs coming from his girlfriend. He moved as gently and swiftly as he was able.
Draco's eyes followed as Brittany moved father from him and he glared for all he was worth. Nix snarled at him. "If you come near her again I'll kill you myself." He whispered as he helped him into a sitting position. "We'll go find Professor Cortana now."
"I'll make sure he doesn't move an inch." Professor Anya promised with her eyes locked on Malfoy. "You've just made the worst mistake Malfoy." Everyone had left the room. "You better begin praying you survive your next encounter with Potter. He'll be out for blood." She hissed at the prone male.
He better pray I don't kill him first. Draco thought venomously. They all better pray I don't see them again. I'll kill them all in front of her for this. Slowly and painfully.
"Poppy! We have an emergency!" Snape yelled from the moment they entered the Hospital Wing.
"Oh Merlin! What happened Severus?" She exclaimed while she moved to grab various potions before rushing over to the pair. "Place her gently onto the bed."
"I'm not sure how it happened, but Scarlett and Nix became worried when it had been an hour since they had seen her. I went looking for her and found the classroom door closed. It was the only one. I threw it open and he was beating her. He was over her body telling her he was going to break her for loving me." Harry explained.
"What happened Miss Zabini?" Snape asked with such concern Harry stopped shaking.
"He found out Harry opened the locket. He lost, and then he lost it. I tried to get away and I tried to call for help but he had pulled me into a classroom and put up a silencing charm. I couldn't fight him and then he got this look in his eyes. I was so scared I froze." She admitted weakly.
Poppy had finished her scan. "Three ribs broken, every finger on her left hand, and her nose is shattered. How did it happen? Drink this for the pain."
Brittany winced as she drank the foul medicine and felt a little better. "A punch and a few kicks to the ribs. He slammed my head into the ground, my nose took the brunt of it. Then he started bending my fingers one by one." She was crying again by this point ans shaking so much the bed rattled.
"Severus, this boy should be sent to Azkaban!" Poppy demanded as she handed another to Potion to Harry. "She needs to drink this one and two of the orange colored ones. I've got to get my wand and see what I can do."
"He was not in control of himself. He's been getting worse. This sent him over the edge. He will need help from St. Mungo's if this gets any worse." He admitted solemnly. "Had Potter kept her safe this could have been avoided."
"If you'd not demanded an increase in our lessons I could have." Harry shot back.
Brittany whimpered and Harry turned to her. "Both of you, now is not the time for blame." Madame Pomfrey scolded.
Both looked slightly ashamed. "So what are you going to do now Potter?"
"I'm taking her home. I'll need to request that Dobby be relocated to take care of her at my home. Kreacher is too stubborn and I am not sure she'd like her. She needs a familiar face, and someone she likes." Harry demanded.
"Acceptable." Snape paused. "Will you hide away with her?" He asked softly.
Harry looked at his love and winced. "I want to. I want to run away and hide from the rest of the world right now."
Brittany shook her head. "You can't."
"I know. I have to face this war. If I want to make sure she's truly safe I have to win this war and bring peace to the Wizarding World. If I don't she, we, will never be safe." Harry admitted bitterly.
"That is very wise of you Potter." He turned to Madam Pomfrey. "You have until I get back to do what you can for her. I will fetch the house elf. You're house elf will return here tomorrow evening for a replenishment of potions to aid her healing." He ordered turned. "I will have Miss Nott gather some of her things. I will return within the hour."
"She'll also need a sleeping draught I imagine." Madame Pomfrey advised.
Brittany nodded her head. "How's it feeling dear?"
"Like I lost a fight with a Hippogriff." She groaned.
Harry hung his head. "I couldn't protect you."
"No, it's my fault. I was too carefree. I thought we had reached some peace for a little while. I'm sorry Harry." Brittany reached her unbroken hand out to him.
"You'll be safe at my place. When this war is over I'm coming back to you and I will never let you out of my sight again." Harry swore wanting nothing more than to hold her tightly and never let her go. He refrained because he was afraid he might just do that.
"Even when I need to use the bathroom?" Brittany attempted to joke and then cried out when it hurt to laugh.
"Even then. I'll just look at your face." He smiled a little. "You have no idea how scared I was."
"I'll probably know once you're gone." Brittany admitted.
"I will come back to you love." He kissed the top of her head.
"You better." Brittany demanded.
"Ahem." Madame Pomfrey smiled at the pair. "I'm going to reset your nose before I give you the last of the potions."
Brittany nodded and closed her eyes. Wordlessly she felt her nose crunch back into place. She screamed and blood rushed once more. Madame Pomfrey was quick to cast another spell to stop the bleeding and handed her a red potion and Harry a green one. "Drink this now, and that one right after."
Brittany wondered why but did as she was told. The red one was spicy like cinnamon and the other tasted god awful. "It's because the second one is the most disgusting potion I think has ever been created. Does it's job well though. Most can't stand the taste, at least this way it goes down." She handed her the last potion she recognized as a sleeping draught.
"That green one is a one time only, you'll just need a potion to fight off infection and promote good circulation while you heal. I expect you to stay in bed for that week and then take it easy for the next month. After that you should be alright."
Madame Pomfrey left to get the other potion and a few Sleeping Draughts for her. "Just rest now Miss Zabini. She'll be just fine Mr. Potter."
The two sat together on the bed until Brittany began to fall asleep. Harry kept stroking her hair making sure to lay her uninjured side across his chest. He did not want to part from her but he knew he had to. He would return and be with her again. He would defeat Voldemort and return. There was no question now, no room for failing or dying. He would be with her forever. She was his and he was hers. They needed one another too much for anything else to be a possibility. I'm coming for you Moldybutt.
Once Snape and Harry had returned to Hogwarts Harry let his rage flow through him. "What do I need to do?"
"Come with me." Snape began moving towards Dumbledore's grave. "Voldemort is searching for the Deathly Hallows and is close to capturing someone who has answers. Once he follows this path, he will be led here. We are going to make sure you're ready. I have found the locations of several of The dark lord's horcruxs. We have much to do Mr. Potter. Rest assured I will make sure you return to her."
Wait for me Brittany I will come back to you. "Let's get to work Professor."