{ 32 }
"Hermione." Ginny Weasley's voice carried down the hall.
The witch beside me froze in her tracks at the sound of her name being called. She took a deep breath, prepared for the inevitable confrontation, and turned to face her friend.
"Ginny." She kept her tone bored, almost dismissive. I turned my head to the side to hide my smirk.
The redhead rolled her eyes as she continued to cross the corridor. She stopped directly in front of us and folded her arms over her chest.
"Malfoy, can we have a moment?" She glared at me.
"There is nothing you have to say to me that you cannot say in front of him." Hermione answered for me.
I did not try to hide my smirk this time. I let my lip pull up on one side as I looked down on the fiery redhead. This should be entertaining.
Weasley sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes again.
"Fine. I just wanted to say that…I may have overreacted." She winced as she said it.
"You think?" Hermione huffed.
"You know how competitive I am. And I hate losing. Especially to this git." She motioned to me. Not that she needed to. We both knew to whom she was referring.
"You kicked me out of my house, Gin! That isn't being competitive. It's being vindictive." Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and popped her hip out to one side. "You actually call yourself my friend, but as soon as something doesn't go your way, you turn on me like that."
She snapped her fingers in front of Ginny's face. Small sparks flew from her fingertips.
"It was only one night, Hermione. And honestly, you're hardly ever in the Tower anyway. We all know you've been sneaking out to be with your boy-toy, here. How you've managed to keep from getting caught all term is still a mystery." She rolled her shoulders back and released a deep sigh. "So, you know, I'm sorry…that you felt like you can't come back to our table or the Tower…because of me. You are still a Gryffindor. You can stop sitting with the Slytherins now."
Her face had turned a brilliant shade of pink by the time she was done. I can't help but wonder who had put her up to this apology in the first place. She certainly would not have done this on her own.
Something she had said stood out to me, though. It was one night? It's been over a week since the password was withheld from her.
Hermione watched her for a long moment, trying to ascertain if she was being sincere or not. Finally she released a deep sigh and rolled her eyes.
"Boy-toy? Really? Come on, Gin. You can come up with something better than that." She huffed a short laugh.
Ginny's shoulders relaxed.
"Does that mean you'll sit with us this morning?" Her eyes were hopeful.
Hermione dashed her hopes rather quickly by replying, "No. I don't think so. Not today. I do appreciate the apology, though. Thanks for that."
With a dismissive nod, she turned away from her former friend and walked towards the Great Hall. I smirked down at the other witch once more.
"I don't know what the hell you are up to, Malfoy." Her eyes narrowed and she took a step closer to me. "If she gets hurt because of you, physically, emotionally or otherwise, I swear you will pay for it."
Anger boiled through my veins.
How dare she?
I glared at her. My hand itched to pull my wand and curse her right there on the spot. I had to remind myself that I cannot do that without risking a stay at Azkaban.
"The only person around here that is hurting her in any way, shape or form, Weasley, is you. Maybe you need to take a step out of your glass house before you start throwing stones."
I didn't wait for a response. Her wide eyes and short gasp told me that she understood exactly what I was saying. I pushed passed her, leaving her standing in the main hall as I followed Hermione into the Great Hall.
I caught up with her halfway to the table. I placed my hand on the small of her back and leaned closer to ask my question.
"Have you known the new password to the Tower for the last week?" Because as far as I knew, she did not.
"Of course." She smirked and rolled her eyes. "Harry and Ron gave it to me as soon as they realized what had happened. I told them I wouldn't be back to the Tower until I received an apology, though."
We sat in our now usual spot at the Slytherin table.
I can't help but wonder why she didn't tell me. Did she keep it from me on purpose?
She does love her secrets.
Theo sat beside me. Blaise took his seat on the other side of Hermione.
"I should have told you, right?" She looked up at me with a grimace. "Sorry. It slipped my mind."
"Anything else that slipped your mind that I should know about?" My tone was a bit more sarcastic than I intended it to be.
She tilted her head to the side and chewed on her bottom lip.
"Not that I can think of at the moment." She smiled at me. A full, bright smile that made my heart stutter in my chest.
Focus, damn it.
I was getting ready to respond to her when Blaise elbowed me in the side. I turned quickly to face him.
"What?" I asked sharply.
He didn't answer me, but he did nod across the table. At the same time, Hermione's hand tightened around mine. I followed his gaze.
I was as surprised as they were to find Pansy standing across the table. Her eyes darted to the other end of the table quickly, then back to us.
She sighed. Then she sat down directly across from me.
"Good morning." Her eyes darted between myself, Hermione, Blaise and Theo.
My eyes widened, then narrowed. My first thought, of course, was "What is she up to?"
"Good morning, Pansy." Hermione responded first.
Murmurs could be heard spreading down the table.
I looked to the far end of the table, where Daphne and Greg were sitting. Greg was ignoring the chatter altogether, eating his breakfast as fast as he could lest it disappear before he finished.
Daphne had her eyes on Pansy, though. And she looked like she could start crying any minute.
Her gaze flicked to me. As soon as our eyes locked, her stare hardened. She tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and turned away.
Interesting.
"Pans." I cleared my throat and focused on the brunette that had been one of my friends since we were both toddlers. "It's good to see you."
She filled her plate with fresh fruit and poured a cup of tea.
"Yes, well. If I end up on the streets because of you, I won't be happy." She scowled.
"There is plenty of room at my house," Blaise grinned. "Anytime you need it."
Pansy bit into her lower lip but nodded her head once in agreement. I may have imagined it, but it seemed like her shoulders relaxed just a little bit as well.
"Just so you know, your father contacted my mother. He offered her a large sum of gold if she would agree to a betrothal contract between you and I."
Oh, good Merlin.
I rolled my eyes and squeezed Hermione's hand in a quick pulse.
It's a complete waste of his time. He has no authority over me to bind me into any kind of contract without my consent.
"That's barbaric." Hermione huffed. Her nose curled up on the end, absolutely offended on Pansy's behalf. "Would your mother actually sell you off to the highest bidder?"
Her reaction took the other witch by complete surprise.
"Why would you care so much?" Pansy asked, genuinely confused. "Aside from it being Draco, of course."
Hermione's hand held mine tighter. So tight my fingertips started to tingle. She took a sharp, controlled breath and blew it out slowly.
"No one should be forced to be with someone they don't want to be with." Her voice had a cold chill to it. Everyone sitting near us heard it.
Her eyes met Pansy's from across the table. Her hand pulsed around mine one more time.
"I tend to agree with you, Granger." Pansy picked at the fruit on her plate for a moment before clearing her throat and meeting Hermione's gaze once again. "Hence why I'm sitting here instead of down there."
Hermione held her gaze for a long moment before her lip tilted up on one side and she nodded in understanding.
"Do you honestly think he's going to go for it?" Hermione sounded almost amused. She tapped her fingernails on the wooden table and raised one brow.
I was on the verge of asking. I bit my tongue instead.
Pansy narrowed her eyes. Not much. Just enough.
"Ultimately, it could benefit all of us." She glanced at me for only a second before returning to Hermione. Her shoulders relaxed and she smiled. Like a weight had just been lifted from her. "But no, I don't believe he would. The fool actually thinks he's going to get a happily-ever-after."
Fucking Hell.
I sighed and rolled my eyes. I really should have known. She was feeling me out, seeing if I would be willing to enter into a sham marriage just to appease our parents.
"You never know, Pansy." Hermione relaxed as well. Just a little. "Don't settle and you just might get your own happily-ever-after."
Pansy huffed a short laugh. It was almost a snort.
The bell interrupted whatever she was about to say. We all stood from the table and made our way to the doors. My hand slid around Hermione's waist and I pulled her against my side.
Blaise and Pansy were in front of us. Theo was behind me. Potter and Weasley fell in step on the other side of Hermione. At the first landing I noticed that Luna was walking beside Theo, behind us.
We all ascended through the castle together. Her friends. My friends.
We passed the third floor, and still she stayed by my side. All the way up to the classrooms where everyone split to go their separate ways. Only then did she stop.
"I'll see you after class." She bit into her lip and looked up at me through her lashes.
I brushed my lips against hers once quickly before we parted. I took two steps before I stopped, turned around and kissed her soundly once again.
I could still taste the coffee from her lips when I sat down in the arithmancy classroom.
[ - - - ]
The morning may have been eventful, but the rest of the day passed by dreadfully slow. Researching wards held no interest for me whatsoever. I feel as though I have read every book on that particular topic that is in the library.
An exaggeration, I know. But still.
"Alright. I'm done." I flipped the book I had been attempting to read for the past hour closed and tossed it across the table. My head fell back and I stared at the ceiling. "This is fucking pointless. None of these books have information in them that will help us."
Hermione lifted her brow and smirked at me. She knows I am right.
"What do you suggest, then?" Her voice had a touch of humor to it.
"Bones said we should practice, right?" I rolled my shoulders back. "Go ahead. Cast wards on the door and let me see if I can break them."
I motioned to the door across from me. The one we never use.
She pursed her lips together and tilted her head to the side.
"Yeah?" She asked, or rather challenged.
"Yes. Go for it." I motioned towards the door again.
She raised her brow. I know she wants to argue. Not everything needs directions, though. Sometimes you just have to trust your magic and go with it.
"Alright." She rolled her eyes, but stood and walked to the door. She waved her wand and wordlessly cast wards on the door. Then she stepped back and motioned to the door. "Go ahead, Malfoy."
Right.
I stood in front of the door and reached out with my magic. I can sense her wards, strands of magic interwoven in a weblike pattern. She had cast a simple locking ward that would prevent me from opening the door.
I've set this same type of ward hundreds of times before. I know how to set it. I know how to take it down.
Theoretically.
All I have to do is find the end of the strand. It's like picking at a loose thread. If you pull hard enough, the whole thing will unravel.
I found it directly in the middle of the door. I visualized it. Waved my wand in a reverse motion and pulled. The magic web unraveled before my eyes and collapsed.
I stepped forward, grasped the iron ring and lifted it. The door swung open.
"Wait! How did you do that?" She sounded surprised, but she had a smile on her face.
"Mark this day on a calendar." I lifted one side of my mouth in a smirk. "I figured something out before the Great Hermione Granger!"
The back of her hand smacked my arm and she laughed.
"My turn. Set your wards." She rolled her shoulders back and waited.
I used the same wards she had used.
She stepped forward and inspected the door. She chewed on her lower lip as she contemplated the web of magic before her. Her head tilted to the side.
I knew the exact moment she figured it out. Her lip curled up on one side and she made this hmph noise in the back of her throat.
She reversed the spell and the door swung open.
"Good job, Granger." My smirk turned into a full blown grin. "Twenty points to Gryffindor."
"Funny, Malfoy." She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling and I could hear joy in her voice.
I stepped closer. My hand circled her waist and pulled her towards me. My eyes met hers briefly. Long enough to see her gaze drop to my lips, then back again.
I didn't hesitate. I dipped my chin and captured her lips with my own. Her hands circled the back of my neck and she held me closer as I kissed her.
She backed away much sooner than I would have liked. Her eyes were clear and sparkling. It only took a moment for her to turn her attention back to the door.
"Something a little more advanced this time, yes?" She stepped forward and cast a different type of ward on the door.
The web of magic for this one was shaped differently. The lines crossed over each other in a spiral pattern. It took me longer to ascertain exactly where the end of the strand was located. This time it was at the bottom of the door in the left hand corner.
"Got it," I whispered under my breath before I reversed the wand movement and unraveled the ward.
For the rest of the day we practiced, taking turns setting various types of wards across the door, then watching as the other broke through them.
At some point, we recognized that each type of ward has its own distinct pattern. The more advanced the spell, the more intricate the pattern is.
That's why Bones had us reading books on different types of wards. You have to know the pattern of each one to determine where the strand begins and ends. You also have to know how to reverse the spell, and each type is slightly different.
If you try to pull on the wrong section of magic or use the wrong reversal, it will rebound on you.
We both found that out the hard way. The first time it happened, I thought I had the end of the strand. I did not.
The force of the rebound knocked me off my feet. Luckily Hermione has fast reflexes. She was able to cast a cushioning charm before I landed on my arse.
Hermione had the next mishap. She used the wrong reversal wand movement and was blasted backwards a good ten meters. I cast an immobulus and stopped her momentum before she crashed into the wall.
After that, we took a much needed break.
[ - - - ]
It was mid-afternoon already. It was a dark and dreary day outside. We stepped out onto the balcony into a fine mist that clung to our clothes.
Everyone else was in their classes. It was eerily silent outside of the castle. Between the quiet and the mist in the air, it felt like we were the only ones at Hogwarts at all.
We settled into the lounge chair. Hermione sat in front of me, with her back resting against my chest.
"I've been thinking about the wards surrounding Hogwarts." She let her head fall back against my shoulder and stared up into the heavy sky.
"What about them?" I haven't given them much thought since our excursion the day before.
She released a deep sigh. Then she stood and walked to the railing. She turned to face me, leaned back against the stone and crossed her arms over her chest.
"There is something terribly wrong with them. You saw it. You felt it. Why are they so unstable and erratic? And does anyone else know about this? Should we tell McGonagall, or is she already aware that Hogwarts may not be as safe as everyone wants to believe? And if she is aware, what is she doing to fix it?"
Yes, she has been thinking about this. Quite a bit, I imagine.
"If McGonagall knows, and I have to think as Headmistress that she does, then she has to be working on a solution." I joined her at the railing. With both hands on the stone, I stared off into the mist, in the direction of the waterfall. "I bet she has all of the professors working on it."
She has to have, right?
Hermione huffed a short laugh.
"I hope that she has an entire team of witches and wizards working on it." She shivered against the cold and leaned her head against my shoulder.
"I'm sure she does." I slid my arm around her waist and pulled her into a hug as I reassured her. "The best and the brightest at the very least."
We stood there in silence for several moments, just staring at the mist and lost in our own thoughts.
"Oh, Gods." Hermione reached up and covered her mouth with one hand. The shock in her voice had me looking around quickly to see what had startled her.
"What?" I asked dumbly, still scanning the mist for a threat.
"Bloody hell, Draco. It's us." Her eyes searched mine, waiting for me to understand.
But I don't. What do we have to do with the wards surrounding Hogwarts?
"Don't you see?" She turned so she was facing me. Her hands clutched my shirt. "We are the team that she has working on it."
A pit began to form in the depths of my stomach.
I don't know what to say. My mind is completely blank. Wouldn't we know if we were a part of something so big?
But then a conversation that I overheard between Giles and McGonagall came back to mind.
"Giles. He said that time is running out. We may not have time." My stomach rolled.
Merlin and Salazar.
"McGonagall thinks the answer is in Ravenclaw's book." Her hands gripped my shirt even tighter. Disbelief tinged with anger colored her voice. "She wanted me here this year, even though I petitioned the school board to let me take my tests early."
Fuck.
"Son of a bitch. She lied to us about this project, to get you to agree to it." I turned around, paced to the other end of the balcony and ran my hands through my hair. "Why wouldn't she just ask you for your help? Why lie about it?"
I thought she was close to McGonagall. Maybe I was wrong.
She stood beside me. Her hand settled on mine and she cleared her throat.
"After the Final Battle, she asked me to stay here and help rebuild. It was almost expected that everyone that participated in the battle would contribute." Her hand squeezed around mine for a moment, then she was gone. She stepped away and started pacing.
"I couldn't do it. I was done." She ran her hands through her hair and gripped it tight. "I told her that the castle could crumble to the ground for all I care. That everyone would be better off if it never existed in the first place. And then I left."
A cold chill ran down my spine. I never saw McGonagall as the manipulative type. Perhaps she learned more from Dumbledore than we ever suspected.
"She is fucking using me!" Hermione sounded heartbroken and pissed the fuck off at the same time.
Betrayed.
That was it. She had been betrayed by someone she looked up to. Her mentor.
Her anger was palpable.
I know what it's like to be used. To be manipulated by someone you trust.
She turned on her heel and stormed off the balcony and through the living quarters. It took me a few seconds to realize she was leaving.
The last thing she needs to do right now is storm off, half-cocked, ready to confront the Headmistress of Hogwarts.
By the time I caught up to her, she was almost to the office.
"Hold up. Where are you going?" I passed her, turned and stood in her path.
"To find out what in the actual fuck is going on here."
That's what I was afraid of.
"All we have right now is a theory. We don't have any proof."
Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest. She glared at me.
"What do you propose we do, then?" She popped her hip out to one side.
"We need to take a step back. Examine all the possibilities. Yes, this theory fits, but we could still be way off base."
In other words, this is not the time to be a fool-hardy Gryffindor.
"And if we are right?"
I ran my hand through my hair and released a deep sigh.
"If we are right, we'll come up with a plan to expose her for what she's done to you."
She looked like she wanted to argue with me. But she didn't. Instead, she released almost a growl of frustration, threw her arms in the air and dropped her head back to stare at the ceiling.
"Fine. I'll wait. Just know, patience is not one of my strong suits." She glared at me.
I stepped forward and let my hands rest on her hips.
"You are incredibly sexy when you are angry." My mouth lifted on one side. I didn't try to hide the heat in my gaze as my eyes swept over her.
She huffed out a short laugh and rolled her eyes.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes. You are." I tugged her into my arms.
She shook her head and laughed. I practically felt the ire draining away from her shoulders as she leaned into me.
The warmth in my chest is all consuming.
Her eyes met mine. It took a few seconds, but I could tell exactly when she realized that I'm serious. Her eyes widened. Her lips parted. Her cheeks flamed.
I smirked down at her. Then my lips were moving against hers in a heated kiss. McGonagall and the wards surrounding Hogwarts were temporarily forgotten.
[ - - - ]
After dinner, I went on to quidditch practice whilst Hermione went up to the Gryffindor Tower for the first time in at least a week. On top of everything else that is going on, she is working to rebuild her friendship with Potter and Weasley.
As it turns out, she doesn't do anything halfway either.
The Slytherin common room was practically deserted when Theo and I walked in together after practice. The only people there were Blaise, Pansy and Daphne. Pansy and Daphne were facing each other, and Blaise was standing behind Pansy. His hand rested on the small of her back.
Both witches looked heartbroken. Devastated.
"Oh, good. There he is now." Daphne spat with venom dripping from her voice as soon as she saw me. "Are you proud of yourself, Blood Traitor?"
"Daphne." I sighed as I stepped up beside Pansy. Theo stepped up on the other side of her. "What seems to be the problem here?"
"The problem?" She practically growled. "It's bad enough you are turning your back on your family and heritage. Do you have to bring your friends down with you?"
My eyes darted over to Pansy. She made her own choice. I didn't force her into anything.
"I told you already, Daph." Pansy tightened her hands into fists. "It isn't his fault."
"Of course it's his fault! Him and Granger!" She turned her glare on me. "Why are you doing this?"
Tears started to leak from her eyes.
Damn it.
Daphne and I have never been close. Acquaintances more than friends. She was largely protected from the war. Her parents had not taken an active role. She didn't see the same things I saw. She doesn't understand.
"I haven't done anything wrong, Daphne. We are adults. Believe it or not, we have the ability to choose how we want to live our lives. And whom we want to live it with."
"Of course you have a choice! Pansy. Me. Astoria. Tracey. There are others, at other schools. Plenty of choices."
Oh, Merlin.
"I made my choice, Daphne. You don't have to like it. If Pansy has decided that she doesn't want to settle for being married off to any wizard with the right pedigree and world view, then that is her choice to make. Not mine, and not yours."
"I don't want to live a lie." Pansy spoke up. She wiped her eyes, rolled her shoulders back and stood tall. "I won't marry someone whilst knowing that I'm in love with someone else."
"Pansy…" Daphne sighed in frustration.
"No, Daph. I won't." She took a step closer to the blonde. They are nearly the same height, with Pansy only a bit shorter than Daphne. "I can't. I've made my decision. Now it's time for you to make yours."
She took a deep breath. Then she stepped forward and placed her lips against Daphne's.
Daphne was frozen for a second or two before she returned the kiss.
I felt my lip tilt up on one side as Theo groaned. I held my hand out and waited for him to place a galleon in my palm. I've known for a while now that the two of them were more than best friends, though it certainly has not been common knowledge.
The kiss ended and Daphne stepped back. Tears rolled down her face.
"I'm sorry, Pans." She shook her head. "I can't."
She turned and walked away.
Pansy didn't try to stop her. She stood tall until the blonde witch had disappeared into the dormitories, even though her heart had just shattered into a million pieces.
[ - - - ]
Pansy refused to return to her dormitory. I can't say that I blame her. The three of us stayed with her in the common room for well over an hour.
"Come on, Pans." Blaise put his arm around her shoulders and guided her towards our room. "Let's get some sleep, yeah?"
Merlin and Salazar. I didn't realize how late it was until he said that. Curfew had come and gone some time ago.
I slid the coin out of my pocket. There wasn't a message waiting for me. I hope Hermione stayed in the Tower tonight.
"I got held up here."
The coin warmed in my palm almost immediately.
"Everything alright?"
I sighed to myself. Is it?
"It will be." Because even though Pansy is hurting now, it will pass. I hope.
Greg was already asleep in his bed. Blaise and Theo immediately went to their own beds. Pansy stopped in the middle of the room. Her eyes darted around quickly.
"Take my bed." I told her.
She looked like she might argue.
"You might as well," Theo huffed a short laugh. "Salazar knows he won't be sleeping in it."
It's true. As soon as they settle in, I'm going to the third floor with Hermione. I didn't realize that Theo knew what I had been doing, though.
"Do I want to know where he will be sleeping instead?" She raised her brow and tilted her head.
"We don't know the where," Blaise chuckled. "Wherever it is, I can guarantee Granger will be there, too."
"Of course." She rolled her eyes. "How have you not ended up in Azkaban yet?"
"Trade secret." I smirked. "Seriously, take my bed."
"Thank you, Draco." She leaned forward and kissed my cheek.
My body froze at the sudden contact. I took a deep breath and forced my muscles to relax.
She settled into my bed as I selected a clean uniform out of my dresser for the following day. She was asleep before I slipped out the door.
"Are you in the Tower?"
I sent that message as soon as I entered the empty common room. I was near the library when she finally responded.
"No. Third floor."
Something told me she wouldn't stay in her dorm tonight. I'm glad she didn't.
"OK. On my way."
And by that, I meant I was almost there. Cloaked under a disillusionment charm, I rose through the castle on my broom. I sat down on the third floor landing and paused. I waited for at least two minutes before I was satisfied that I wasn't followed. Then I set wards across the entrance that would tell me if anyone entered this corridor.
I would say I'm just being paranoid. Except I'm not. Cautious, yes. But not paranoid.
Hermione was in the sitting room. She sat at the table with her sketchbook open in front of her. She was wearing black sweat pants and a pink tank top. Her hair was pulled back in a sloppy bun at the nape of her neck.
She looked up from her drawing as I stepped through the door, turned around and cast wards, then turned back to her.
"You look exhausted." She gave me a half smile. "You could have stayed in the dungeon if you needed to."
I could have.
"Trust me, I would much rather be right here with you." I sat down in the chair next to her, even though I really just want to lie down. "Besides, Pansy is asleep in my bed."
I cringed as soon as I said it. Her hand had been steadily moving across the page. Now she paused, for only a heartbeat or two before she resumed drawing whatever she had been drawing.
"Should I even ask?" She cleared her throat.
"She and Daphne had a…falling out."
She stopped, laid the graphite down and turned to face me. She raised her eyebrow and waited.
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair.
"Because she joined us? Or because she didn't push you for that marriage contract?"
"Both. It's a little more complicated than that, though."
She cleared her throat. Her hand settled on my knee.
"So by 'falling out' you mean they broke up?"
My eyes snapped up to meet hers.
"During sixth year I caught them snogging in the girl's bathroom." Her lip tilted up on one side.
I huffed out a short laugh. I dropped my hand to cover hers and squeezed gently.
"Pansy told her she didn't want to live a lie. Daphne turned her back on her. Walked away."
"How awful." She laid her head against my shoulder.
I dropped a kiss on the top of her head. I can't even imagine what I would feel like if she turned her back on me like that. If she just walked out of my life.
A cold chill ran down my spine. I don't even want to imagine it.
Her arm tightened around my stomach, holding me tighter. Perhaps she is thinking the same thing.
I turned towards her and pulled her to sit across my lap. My arms circled her waist and held her against me.
"I'm not going anywhere, Draco." She whispered against my shoulder.
"Me either, Hermione. We are in this together."
We held each other like that for several long moments, clinging to each other. Taking comfort in each other. Reassuring ourselves.
My eyes drifted across the table and landed on her notebook. I sat forward and pulled the book closer.
The image she had drawn was that of a dragon in flight.
"Don't worry." Her lip tilted up on the side. "It isn't from a dream."
I hate to admit it, but I breathed a sigh of relief. With everything else going on, I don't need to worry about fighting dragons too.
AN: Hello to my fantastic readers! I hope you all liked this update. This story topped 400 reviews with the last chapter. Keep them coming!
Things are starting to come together and there is another shift coming that I can't wait to post. So stay tuned…
Until next time.
-mezy