The evening chill whipped through Dahlia's hair as she glanced up to her beloved moon.
Friday had finally rolled around, and she was ecstatic to go to Hogsmeade with Theo. The week had dragged on slowly in anticipation despite Theo making his presence more well known in her life. He walked her to class when he could, throwing his arm around her lazily. He kissed her incessantly regardless of where they were. This level of public affection was new to her which gave her quite a thrill. He doted on her, and was wildly confrontational to any boy who glanced in her direction for a moment longer than he deemed polite. They had spent every free moment together taking in the rush of starting something new.
She wondered how long it would take for her father to hear the news. He was a private person who wouldn't be thrilled with the forwardness of her romance, or quite possibly who it was with. She just hoped her father would give him a chance. He was a Slytherin, after all. She hoped he was enough.
Dahlia made her way the north exit of the castle with Eloise. She and Theo had planned to walk to Hogsmeade with her and Xavier, who were also dating. However, they preferred to keep their relationship much more private.
Dahlia couldn't believe in less than twenty-four hours she would be gallivanting across the Hogwarts hillsides with Draco. She kept her plans heavily guarded so Theo wouldn't suspect anything. She knew he would never allow her to do such a thing — to curse herself and potentially risk her life.
Draco, on the other hand, had no qualms about it.
She hoped to tell Theo, eventually. She knew her roommates would worry when she went missing tomorrow, but she also knew they would be even more concerned if they were aware of where she was going and who she was going with. She needed to keep the details close to heart.
"Eloise, I need to trust you with something," sighed Dahlia in a serious nature.
Eloise looked at her curiously as she shoved her mittens into her pockets.
"I'm going out tomorrow to search for a way to amplify my Sight. I know you're going to flip out, but I need to do this. I'm firm in my decision."
She waited for Eloise to berate her, but Eloise only looked at her glumly and nodded her head. She wondered if Eloise had come to the same conclusion, as well. She knew her friend had been desperately researching for any intel on her behalf.
She stopped walking and faced Eloise. She pulled out a piece of paper that had been folded several times over.
"I'm leaving you with this map. I've enchanted it with my blood so you can see where I am. Please, don't worry about me. I can find my way. I can sense it," she said confidently.
"Please just tell me you are doing this for yourself." Her voice laced with heavy concern. "Theo has to face his own demons. You know that, don't you?" She added quietly.
"It's not just for him. Yes, I want to see if I can offer him guidance, but I also need to find a way to better protect myself. I can feel it; darker winds. I think everyone can," she spoke lowly as if the darkness might hear. "It's making me more ill. I'm too weak for it."
Eloise was quiet for a moment. "Fine. Just promise me you'll be safe. And whatever you find, please don't use it until your back. I don't want you to have your first true vision alone." She took Dahlia's hand and squeezed it.
"I promise." Dahlia clutched her friend's hand and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Hello, love," she heard from behind her.
She felt Theo's arms wrap around her waist. He kissed her cheek. She leaned into him enjoying his scent in the crisp air.
"I've missed you," she chuckled.
"mhm, I have a surprise for you," he whispered in her ear.
"What is it?" She asked lyrically.
"You'll see enough," he winked.
She had long missed this version of Theo that always had a cheeky grin. He grabbed her hand, and they started walking towards Hogsmeade. Eloise and Xavier walked a little way further up.
"Thank you for giving me space," she started quietly. Her serious conversation with Eloise had given her the confidence to address other conversations that required a similar tone. They had been so lost in each other that they hadn't really discussed the matter.
"Dahlia, really, thank you for giving me a chance." He grinned earnestly. He looked at her with adoration as her long hair whipped around her lawlessly.
"I want to be honest with you. It matters to me if you think I'm a bad person. I've had everyone I've loved taken from me because of my legacy. It hasn't been easy." He spoke in an uncharacteristically somber tone.
"I'm starting to understand, and I'm sorry for your losses. Just remember, someone's villain is another's hero. I don't think you are a bad person." She squeezed his hand, easing his worries.
He pulled her close. It was quiet for a moment.
"I wanted to ask you since I know you've been staying with the Malfoys," she muttered.
He shot her a curious glance as if he dreaded where this might go.
"Have you seen my father around?" She glanced at him inquisitively.
"Not that I can remember," he sighed. "Do you want me to be honest with you now?"
She shook her head and replied, "always."
"I've heard your father's name mentioned before in passing. I've only ever heard Draco's father mention him though, so please don't assume the worst. They could simply be on polite terms. Your father and his father are both powerful men, you must remember that."
She could see in his stature that he might be withholding more information, but she didn't want to push. She didn't want to ruin this night.
Her stomach dropped. She would have to talk to her father soon.
"It's alright, love." He kissed her temple.
The wind whipped harder as they approached the village. She leaned into his chest as he changed the subject to lighter topics. They both laughed as she shared what she had heard the younger girls muttering about her, that it was now popular to date Slytherin boys.
"You couldn't have realized it sooner?" he teased her.
They ended up in the Three Broomsticks where they met up with their larger group of friends as they huddled around a large table. The warm light was rather inviting. She spotted Amelia sitting in Blaise's lap near the end of the bench. Theo sat down next to Blaise, across from Draco. He pulled her into his lap, as well. The bartender brought them two drinks and Amelia spiked them with liquor.
Theo placed a hand on her lower back and gently moved her hair to the side to kiss her jaw. Draco watched the gesture and took a heavy sip of his own drink. Dahlia noticed Pansy slip her arms around Draco's chest. She looked away, but not before Draco could send her a smirk. It was like they were speaking their own language, but she was unsure exactly what she was trying to communicate — or if she wanted to communicate with him at all. The tides of their hatred had seemed to lull after their conversation in that horrid closet.
Dahlia had thrown back three drinks when Pansy and Daphne suggested they play a game. They pulled out a deck of cards. Pansy sucked the card to her lips and passed it to Daphne with her mouth. She pass it to Blaise, who dropped it and kissed Amelia. A dreaded thrill curled within Dahlia as she soon realized that she would have to pass it to Draco since they were sitting opposite at the very end of the table.
"Don't worry, Dahlia. I'd rather kiss Mad-Eye Moody than Theo." Amelia grinned. She laughed, then successfully passed the card to Theo. He sucked on the card to take it from Amelia, then quickly removed it from his own lips when Dahlia leaned in. He cupped the side of her face and pulled her in for a deeper kiss, parting her mouth to slip his tongue inside. She let him kiss her for a minute as their friends hollered. She gripped his jaw and pulled him away from her.
"You cheated!" She turned her face away shyly.
"I don't play fair," he whispered behind her ear.
She took the card from Theo and placed it on her lips. She was livened with liquor, and could now compartmentalize her unclear feelings about Draco.
It was just a game.
Theo had a callous look upon his face. Draco pulled her arm, leaning into her from across the table in order to get the card from her own lips. She could sense the shift in the air as their friends watched in awe, wide eyed, unable to comprehend that they would ever be willing to risk such close proximity. It collectively dawned — they didn't bicker, shove and nearly strangle one another, or glare and swear because of mutual hatred. It was so much worse.
Dahlia closed her eyes as she eliminated the space between them. Draco recoiled swiftly. She opened her eyes to discover Pansy had suddenly pulled him back. The action had placed an obvious doubt in her mind that their hatred was true, and instead, it was a sick form of flirtation.
"I want to leave, Draco," Pansy said feigning boredom.
She was visibly upset over what had just happened. Feeling slightly miffed, Dahlia flicked the card into Draco's face. Theo pulled her closer to his chest, running a hand through her hair a bit possessively, but not unusual.
"We should all get out of here," Amelia remarked, supporting Pansy.
"Come on," Theo ordered.
They stood and exited the tavern. Theo was leading north with Blaise to an undisclosed location while Amelia linked arms with her behind them. Draco was having a tense conversation with Pansy behind them.
"Pansy looked absolutely livid," she stated.
"What happened?" Dahlia whispered.
"She's very jealous. She must have not liked the way Draco looked at you when Theo purposefully kissed you in front of him. He practically went flush. Then the way neither of you resisted the game…" Amelia smirked, enjoying the chaos.
Dahlia didn't like to think that Theo had only kissed her to get a rise out of Draco. It didn't seem true as he kissed her intensely often.
"That is so delusional. I've pushed him to the point where he has barely resisted murdering me. He basically said I was worthless and stupid," she retorted.
"I'm just telling you what I saw! I've been thinking you should stay away from him, especially after you told me he has the dark mark." She paused as if hesitating in thought, then continued. "Be careful," she whispered. "I've never seen Draco Malfoy not get something he wants. Stay off his radar, Dahlia," she warned.
I'll be stranded in the woods with him by this time tomorrow, Dahlia thought.
"I'm definitely not what he wants."
She leaned her head against her friend's shoulder as they approached a meadow outside of Hogsmeade. She gasped suddenly with excitement; it was a den of mooncalves.
"Do you like it?" Theo turned and asked her.
She didn't answer. She was overwhelmed with excitement to pet one of the creatures. "How did you know this was here?" She mused incredulously.
Her heart soared. The little mooncalves bewitched her.
"I have my sources." He smiled down at her as she petted a calf.
He watched her for a few moments as if he was truly happy and at peace. She never realized how much he wore the chaos of his clever mind in his expression. He brushed the top of her hair with his fingertips. "We can't stay long, love. We have to get back to the castle by curfew."
She began cooing and humming a melody to the baby mooncalf to soothe it.
She sensed the sweet lullaby from the hushed stars.
Theo froze behind her as his breathing came to a halt. "Where did you hear that?" Theo inquired seriously.
There was little to no warmth in his voice. Dahlia's stomach filled with nerves. "Oh, I-I'm not sure, actually. It just came to me," she replied in a small voice.
Dahlia was telling the truth. The wind blew the words of the stars to her and sometimes she would sing their whispers.
"Is everything alright?" She asked after a long moment of uncomfortable quietness. She could tell he was spooked and fighting the urge to step away from her.
"My mother used to sing that melody when I was a child," he stated, shaken.
She turned her head to glance up at him. He wore a doubtful peculiarity. Her hands shook with a bit more anxiety. She had made him suspicious.
"Oh, how strange," she said feigning innocence. She smiled sweetly. He offered her his hand, helping her stand. She kissed him softly to distract from his own uneasy intuition.
He's too smart, she thought. He would piece it together in no time.
"Let's get back," she sighed.
Theo appeared quieter than usual.
She wondered if maybe the whispers wanted her to share her secrets and that's why they had sung the lullaby. With each step, she convinced herself more of it. Would it be that bad for one more person to know? Was it unfair that Draco knew?
"Do you want to do some more sneaking around tonight?" She asked with a playful grin.
"Dahlia, you pain me. It's like you don't even know me," he answered sarcastically, hand over heart. She laughed softly, relief washing through her.
"By all means, lead the way," he remarked as he raised his brow to her.
Dahlia took him to the Astronomy Tower, where she had spent most nights over the past few weeks. He took a seat on the edge of the tower and looked below to see how high up they were. Heights always made him uncomfortable. The irony that he loved quidditch was not lost on him.
"Are you going to serenade me with more haunting melodies as we lay under the stars?" He joked, watching Dahlia search around the messy, open-aired room for something.
She rolled her eyes as she searched for divining tools. She had decided to share her most well kept secret on the way here. She wanted him to know all of her, see her soul. She was convinced the Fates were sending her a sign when she had hummed the melody that meant so much to him. Her pulse thrummed in her veins. She only trusted the people closest to her with this information. She hadn't told anyone her secret in several years.
Plus, tomorrow she would go out and find a way to help him via her strengthened powers. She justified her choice further. She would eventually have to tell him anyway in case she had a vision in front of him.
It was right. She trusted him. No man had ever cared for her more.
She grabbed some enchanted string and sat down next to him. His face was written with confusion. She leaned in and kissed him.
He was taken aback by her urgency, but he instantly parted his lips for her. She pulled away too soon though with a bite to his lip. He hissed in response, but said nothing. Theo put his finger to his mouth, then noted she had drawn blood. A wicked smile crossed his face.
"What are you doing, darling?" He asked.
She didn't answer. She rubbed the enchanted string in his blood and then held it in her hands. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back to the night sky.
He was silent, watching her reverently.
She pulled the string and focused on it, deciphering the fibers.
"Your birthday is September 1st, yes?"
He nodded curiously. He would entertain her party tricks.
"They altered your timeline when you were 11? 12?" She knew it was his mother. "You'll live a longer life than most." She didn't want to say the exact age. "You'll have kids." She smiled and hoped it might be with her, even as psychotic as that was. "Most curiously, there are broken fibers, as if time has been broken for you." She looked up at him for an explanation.
He spun the gold ring on his finger and chuckled. "It's a time turner," he explained.
"Where did you find that?" She whispered with disbelief.
"I didn't. It was made for me. But I must admit, love, I am quite impressed with your divining. Did you steal another book from the restricted section," he joked as he kissed her temple.
"Not quite." Her tone hardened. The words were on the tip of her tongue but she couldn't bring herself to say it. She remembered a small prediction she had written about him.
"Did you score three goals during practice today?" She asked him.
He threw his head back and laughed loudly. A wild grin graced his features. "Dahlia, were you secretly stalking me?" He purred.
"No!" She hit him playfully in the shoulder.
He scooted back to lean against the circular railing that encompassed a giant globe in the center of the room.
"I get it, you're very good at divination. Honestly, maybe you should throw Trelawney out the window and teach the class," he suggested.
She scooted over to him and moved to sit between his legs, willing him to understand. She faced him, begging the confession to leave her tongue.
He brushed the hair from her face. "I wanted to give you something," he told her quietly.
She hushed him as she grabbed his rough hands and closed her eyes. "Sometimes, the stars sing to seers," she whispered. She brought her lips to his cheek. She gently pulled away and exhaled with the stars.
Dahlia let the universe in. She lowered her iron walls she had been working so hard to fortify over the past several weeks. While the dark premonitions were overwhelming, she focused on the delightful whispers. The delicate mumblings that she let guide her further towards a heavenly place. She began to hum the same melody from the meadow.
Theo watched her, bathed in moonlight, as her hair blew in the wind that had mysteriously picked up. She looked angelic with the rosiness still in her cheek from the drinks she had earlier. She looked so at peace as she hummed the decrepit melody. The dark part of him wanted to steal her forever in that very moment. There couldn't be something so sweet and light in his life. She was a haunting he would never escape should he lose her. He had understood what she was telling him, but he chose to ignore it for a little longer.
He put his thumb on her bottom lip, and her eyes fluttered open. They shone brighter than usual. He pulled her into him and kissed her softly. He pulled her forward to straddle him further. He lifted her sweater, gripping both sides of her ribs as he leaned her back, then kissed up to the center of her bra between her breasts. It was more of worship than a lustful action.
He pulled her sweater over her head. Goosebumps instantly rose on her flesh but it made his warmth feel that much sweeter — like finding water in a draught. Communicating with the ether always made Dahlia crave touch; searching for a different type of euphoric peace.
She returned the favor and pulled his sweater off, as well. She wanted to feel him with nothing between them. It was more than warm skin, it was acceptance. She kissed his neck gently as he pulled her tights beneath her skirt down. She moaned as her skin heated and warmth pooled within her. She pressed her nails into the flesh of his arms. His roaming hands began gripping her more harshly as his lust heightened.
He pulled her face away from her neck and smiled wickedly against her mouth. "Tell me, is this what you think of when you clench your legs together when we're in public?" He grinned in a heady taunt. Dahlia's mouth fell open.
He traced his fingers up her inner thigh before finally slipping his hand beneath her underwear. He waited for her to respond.
She nodded as her gaze landed on his whisky-colored eyes — a gold rush. He began to work in circular motions over her core, and she moaned breathlessly. She leaned back into his other arm as she tried to move against him.
"Are you mine?" He whispered as he kissed her rib cage until it bruised.
He looked up at her. There was no kindness in his eyes, only dominance.
She shook her head, defiant yet playful, in response. She was his, he knew it. She wanted to push him further.
"No?" He asked.
His jaw ticked. Theo didn't take kindly to her rejection. He inserted another finger inside of her, and she let out a delicious whimper. He peered at her with a lustful gaze, mouth parted, taking in every reaction. He moved in faster circular motions across her core.
She needed more of him. She removed her bra and brought her chest to his own. At this angle she could feel his hard length beneath her. He groaned as she brushed against it. He placed his hand at the nape of her neck and pulled her hair.
"Is that what you want, love?" He asked into her mouth as they both breathed roughly.
She spoke into his lips, "yes." She grinned wickedly.
He grinned, running a hand through her hair and scratching down her bare back. He bit her exposed breast and moved his fingers within her in a steady rhythm. Sensation ran wildly. She struggled to find even breaths.
He cupped her face. "Ask me for it." He commanded cruelly as he felt her body tense.
She desperately wanted release, but wouldn't submit in such a way. "Please," she panted.
"It's simple Dahlia," he muttered, slowing, torturing her.
She pressed her lips in a tight line, wanting to refuse him. He was relentless, peering into her starry eyes like he was inevitable. She leaned her forehead against his.
He bit his own lip, hard, reopening the healing wound where she had taken his blood. "My heart is yours," he whispered, before bringing his mouth upon hers. The copper stained her lips, easing all hesitation. She nodded rapidly, eyes wide and asking.
He pulled her close and kissed her jaw, then pulled her bottom lip. He kept that steady rhythm until she came undone. He let her move against his palm until she was satisfied, trembling. He placed featherlight kisses on her lips and moved her beneath him. She nodded her head once more, and he removed her tights fully along with her short skirt. He paused for a moment to gaze upon her in nothing but her underwear beneath him. He thought she might disappear, suddenly unsure if he was worthy of this — of her.
"Come to me," she whispered, smiling. She pulled him down to her and kissed him sweetly.
It was what he needed. He removed the last of her clothing, then removed the rest of his. She sat up on her elbows as she watched him ready himself. He gripped the back of her neck gently as he leaned over her, placing a loving kiss on the base of her neck. It was a softness, a vulnerability, yet explored.
Before she could become too anxious, he thrusted into her. She inhaled sharply, arching as she felt herself stretch to him. He was afraid to move roughly in case she didn't like it. He held back, choosing to embrace the part of him that wanted to be better for her. They breathed into each other, finding a place where their hearts might beat together. He sat back to watch how she moved beneath him. He had been holding her hand when she brought his finger to her mouth. She grinned mischievously with a giggle before she sucked on it.
Match lit.
He gripped the side of her thighs harshly, pulled her forward and off her elbows to lay flat on her back. He slammed into her, harder. She writhed beneath him. He placed her hands over her head and watch her come undone again. She pulled him into a kiss and ran her fingers through his hair. Her moan from her own high and how she had clawed her nails down his back while he crashed deeper into her was his own undoing.
"Look at me," he demanded. She lifted her head, exhaling with the breath of stars in her eyes as he unleashed himself.
She removed his hand from her face, kissing his knuckles gently until his pulse lessened. She knew he craved cruelty, but he needed affection. He rubbed his rough hands down the side of her face. She smiled against his lips.
"You're beautiful. It's fucking devastating."
He finally pulled away from her. Dahlia sat up, wishing he would lay with her, but he seemed tense. She pulled her knees to her chest as she suddenly felt the need for modesty.
"I should have known," Theo said bleakly, shaking his head.
That those were the first words he had spoken after he had finished stung her heart. She didn't know what to say for a moment as they dressed themselves. Dahlia knew he was referring to her breaking the news that she was a seer.
"I can help you," she finally whispered. She tried to hide any signs of desperation. She placed her forehead against his bare chest as he moved to slip his shirt back on. He stopped and embraced her with hesitation.
He stilled as he processed her words. His thoughts ran far away, in circles. Is that what Dahlia assumed? That he needed her help? He didn't need anyone. He had been perfectly fine alone. He had chosen to let her into his life, even if he didn't always feel that he was good enough for hers. He knew what he had to do. Draco's word echoed in his mind as he finally made sense of them. The Dark Lord would very much like to have a seer of his own. He wished desperately that she had never told him. Some secrets were better kept.
He didn't answer as he didn't want her help. All he had wanted was her unattainable heart and her all-consuming love. He took out a thin, golden chain from his pocket and handed it to her.
She took it from his hands. It was a mesmerizing necklace that had a small multi-colored stone that refracted brilliantly in the moonlight.
"Amelia said I only gave you a dusty old journal, but you are worthy of jewels. So, I wanted to give you this charmed necklace. You'll most likely need it now. It'll protect you — even from me," he sighed grimly.
Unable to read his masked expression, anxiety swallowed Dahlia whole. Terror took hold that he was about to cast her away; that he would say she was no longer perfect enough for him. He would wreck her, then run.
"I'm not afraid of you," she mumbled meekly.
"Your face in the library — you were frightened." He put his hands in his pockets. Dahlia noted that he no longer wanted to hold hers and wrap her own arms around her. Rejection rubbed itself against her heart until it became raw.
He added hesitantly, "you should be afraid, you know that, right? I know I promised that I would never harm you, but I can't guarantee your safety." He shook his head and smiled sadly at her.
"Theo, I'm not asking for your aid. I don't think you've fully grasped what I might be capable of. I won't need it. I'm asking for you to simply accept me."
He furrowed his brow. She could see his thoughts swirling madly. He pulled his shirt over his head. "I can help guide you through this," she whispered in a rush as she took a step forward.
"I won't have your blood on my hands," he said firmly. He broke her gaze as he looked to the night sky. He sighed, and the reality of what he was saying, what he was doing, dawned on him. He needed to touch her.
He paced forward and took her hands. He held them to his chest. "Dahlia, you don't see me as I am. And when time reveals the truth to you, I can guarantee that you won't like what I will have to become."
The unfortunate truth was that he had been born awful. He was no one's hero and everyone's worst imagination. He was born into chaos and thrived amongst it. He would be wicked to save her, to protect her, but she wouldn't want him after it was all said and done.
Her slow smile ripped through his heart. "Time is only but a simple construct to me. It swirls around me in no linear motion. Can't you understand?"
He sighed, "you shouldn't have told me."
He dropped her hands. He might as well have dropped her heart. She was speechless. He had gone cold. She stepped away, rage burning, igniting a vengeful spirit. "So what was this then?" She pointed between them.
She held back her tears and steadied her voice. He would be the last person to know she shed a tear over him. "Did you know? In that moment before you fucked me, did you know you wanted to cut ties?"
She let her viciousness known. "Because that's fucked, Theo."
"I was just con-" he said softly.
"Was it to claim me to spite Draco?" She pushed his chest lightly, but he didn't budge. He only grabbed her hands. She ripped them away from him and shook off his touch.
His eyes lit at that comment so she continued, "You think I'm oblivious to the tension between you two over me? You don't think Amelia whispers in my ear what's going on? I wanted to be with you, despite knowing that your best friend is a death eater, and so is your father."
To think he wouldn't accept her secrets, after she was so willing to accept him. She could tell he was becoming more irate and biting his tongue. He wouldn't even look at her.
"No, it was never like that," he said dangerously calm.
He was careful not to divulge any more details until he could calculate if she knew that Draco's father wanted him to get close to her because he potentially knew she was a seer, as well. He didn't think that was information Amelia was privy to, but who knows what Blaise told her in confidence.
He tightened his jaw, forcing silence as she pushed him to admit to himself that he had been jealous of Draco. Of course, he was jealous. He knew there was a fine line between hatred and lust for Draco, and the way they moved around each other seemed effortless.
"That's all you have to say?" Her voice quivered. The inability for him to answer her amongst the tense silence was too much for her to endure.
"Get out," she spat. This was her space of solace. even he had just ruined it.
Theo noticed her voice break. He stepped closer to her. He wanted nothing more to keep her for all of time, but he knew it was selfish. He memorized her face — how the stars glowed upon her skin, how her wide eyes hid no emotion. Her jaw was set in disappointment, but that was nothing new to him.
He tried to remember the last moment she had smiled.
"Keep your distance, please, for your own good," he stated sternly with finality. He kissed her forehead with ease despite her attempt to shove him away.
He said nothing more as he walked through the door of the Astronomy Tower.
Dahlia couldn't bare the loneliness. She chased after him but he had vanished into thin air. She collapsed on the stairs of the Astronomy Tower. No one was around, it was a safe place to let her tears flow freely.
She didn't know if she would be alright this time. She had never felt someone cut her so deep before. It was a deeper rejection as she had revealed her truest self she rarely shared, then he had changed his mind.
She stood up with urgency and ran back into the main room of the tower. She opened drawers and ripped through cabinets in a desperate search for any means of divining to bring him back to her — take back her secret. There was nothing useful. She was too weak —still worthless as a seer. She slid to the floor as the wind dried her tears.
The moon dimmed, and the stars wept for her.