Friday, July 28, 2006
Chapter 3
A Werewolf's Call For Love
"I said... do you or do you not know of the Aphrodite's Curse... It's a simple question really... just a yes or a no will do... quit gaping like that Malfoy..." Hermione said in a bid to snap Draco back to reality. Draco did know of the Aphrodite's Curse, but just vaguely. He couldn't be bound by the curse could he? "Yea I do know a little about it.... My father told me a lil' abt what it does... what about it Hermione? this potion's the Aphrodite's Curse?" Draco sounded uneasy and Hermione could tell that he was not going to like what she had just learnt. "Malfoy... Draco... is there something you'd like to tell me regarding this? like why you want to know soo much abt this potion? I can help you... Harry will be most willing to help you as well... after what you did at the Manor a few months ago... I'm sure even Ron would..."before Hermione could finish, she was cut off by a now highly agitated Malfoy. But somehow, she could sense that he was more worried than anything else, for his deep greyish green eyes told a different story. "Hermione... I really need to know how this potion works... the side effects etc... and no... i assure you i'm not in any danger... neither am i going to use this potion for my own personal gain... so can we please hurry this up a bit? I've got Seeker practice later on... " Draco pushed Hermione for the answers he was longing to obtain. "ok Draco... but I want you to know...my offer still stands...anyway... Aphrodite's Curse is a very powerful love potion... The power of this potion depends on when the drinker drinks this potion... as well as, how long ago the potion has been brewed ... " Draco shifted uneasily as Hermione related this to him, but nonetheless paid close attention to what she had to say. "The closer it is to the full moon... the stronger the effects would be and harder to reverse at that... if the drinker drinks this potion on the full moon, however... the spell of the love potion cannot be broken except by death of either party..." "wait... Hermione... you're telling me... this potion has got to do with the full moon? which crazy prick would think of following the full moon for a love potion?!" Draco flared as he attempted to kick the wall on which he was leaning on. "That would be the werewolves... the werewolves found it difficult to find themselves a mate... and so... one of the werewolves... William Fanghorn coerced with Salazar Slytherin and came up with a powerful love potion... the Aphrodite's Curse... this of course happened ages ago... before the Great Slytherin War... the use of the potion has since been banned... and there has been no cases of anyone drinking the potion ever since... " Draco seemed nonplussed, but just before Hermione could say anything further, Draco butted in. "How can it be broken by death from either party when only one person drinks the potion? shouldn't it affect only the person drinking it?" Draco asked, still trying to devour what he had just learnt. "Ah... well... that's where the cursed bit comes in... Godric Gryffindor as well as some of the Dragon leaders of Drakonia had found out Slytherin's plan to breed more werewolves by the use of this potion... hence they placed a curse on it... they were far too late to stop the werewolves from using the potion when they had finally heard wind of what Slytherin was up to... so they ensured... that when the werwolves did find their mate and use this potion on their mates... the drinkers of the potion would immediately kiss the person who made them drink the potion in the first place... thereby rendering the werewolves themselves defenseless and crippled by the power of their own potion... this was a clever trick as the werewolves brewed the potions themselves and had to add a strand of their hair as the final ingredient for the potion to work..." Hermione finished, her eyes still transfixed upon Draco as she was attempting to decipher Draco's thoughts. "so the person who wants the drinker to fall in love with him/her should add a strand of their hair into the potion then?" Draco asked. 'How can that be? Ginny drugged my Mai Tais? I thought she loved Potter?' A million questions flooded Draco's mind as he awaited Hermione's reply. "Well yes... oh... and there's a little time limit for the potion as well.... supposing the drinker drinks this potion before the full moon.... both parties can still reverse the effect only up till the coming full moon... and once it is the full moon... the potion cannot be reversed... and the spell becomes permanent... the only way to break the spell then, is by death... " Hermione finished, bracing herself for more questions to come. "ok... so how do we reverse the effects of this potion Hermione?" "well... i'm not sure exactly... i've searched the library... even the restricted section... and not a single book tells of how to reverse the spell..." Hermione finished with a sort of finality in her voice. She had to consult Professor Freakency regarding her Arithmancy assignment and at the rate she was going, she was going to be late for sure. "all right then... thanx Hermione... and don't... i know you're itching to tell Pothead and Weaselboy... but think about the consequences first... unless you wouldn't mind me letting slip to our favourite Professor Snape that Oliver Wood comes up into your room illegally at least two times a week... by all means... tell Pothead and his weaselboy all you know..." Draco smirked as he knew that he had struck at a sensitive nerve. "How did you... that's blackmail.... " Hermione stuttered in a bid to retort, but it was in vain for shock had overwhelmed her so. "A Malfoy knows how to get the information he needs Granger... besides... it was more of a bargain rather than blackmail... but rest assured Granger... I'll honour my word when i say i owe you one... good day to you..." Draco replied with a smirk as he left a dumbfounded Hermione staring back after him in a deserted corridor.
~-~
Was it the full moon when he had drunk the potion? and why would Ginny possibly drug his Mai Tais? A million and one questions bombarded Draco's mind. He also knew that he had to consult Lodina and tell her everthing he knew. Part of him wanted to be truthful to her and let her know the current situation they were both faced with. However, part of him also wanted to leave Lodina out of this and solve the problem on his own. 'This is precisely the attitude that would lose you the girl Malfoy' Draco's conscience got the better of him as he decided that he would have a 'nice' long talk with Dina after his Quidditch training. On top of all of this, he had his OWLs and quidditch games to worry about. 'I need to take a loooong holiday after all of this...' Draco thought quickly changed into his quidditch robes and summoned his Nimbus 2001 by his side. He was grateful for these quidditch sessions as these were the only times he could be free and relaxed...
~-~
"Hi Tonks! Is my dad in? I need to get a book from the library... i was hoping he could find it for me... " Lodina said through the floo network. The first thing that came to her mind after seeing Draco leave was to find that book of ancient magic spells her father had in the library; so without further adue, Lodina had found an appropriate timein the Gryffindor Common Room when all the other Gryffindors were fast asleep, to talk to her father regarding the book using the floo powder. "It's ok dear... you can tell me.. I can get the book for you... Sirius is out for a walk... he's been cooped up in this house not being able to do anything 'worthwhile' for the order... so he's a lil' frustrated right now..." Tonks replied with a slight grin on her face. Lodina loved Tonks' fashion sense. It was to say the least, funky and even cool! Ever since Tonks had entered her father's life and hers as well, things seemed brighter. Of course, it didn't hurt that Tonks did have a perky and bubbly personality and was such a joy to be around with. "Well ok then... it's the book of ancient magic spells... by Newt Salamander... could you find it for me? and perhaps deliver it via owl-mail? Thanx Tonks... and send my regards to daddy too..." Lodina said as she ended the conversation with her going- to- be Step-mother. "So who is that lady with pink hair Dina?" a familiar voice called out from behind her. She turned around and was surprised to see Draco for a moment. 'How much had he heard?' she wondered to herself. "oh... she's my dad's fiance'... and what are you doing here Malfoy?" Lodina confronted Draco, sounding very formal. He did look extremely hot in his leather pants and quidditch robes and Lodina tried her best not to ogle at his well-toned muscles. It pained her so much to act indifferently around him, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to take the emotional torture should it come to the worse. She was simply protecting herself from getting hurt, wasn't she? Lodina wasn't sure of the things she was doing anymore. Her grades in school were slipping and she was becoming increasingly distracted from everything that she had been undertaking. Truth be told, she could not get Draco off her mind no matter how hard she tried. "So i'm Malfoy now eh?" Lodina could sense the hurt in his voice but willed herself to remain strong. "I just came in here after quidditch practice to let you know of what i've found out about the potion... I think it's best we sit... perhaps some Butterbeer would be in order... " Draco summoned two cans of butterbeer as he motioned for Lodina to sit by the fire. He then narrated what he had learnt from Hermione in the afternoon to her. Lodina was deeply saddened by what she had heard from Draco. She wasn't shocked by what he had told her as she half expected it to be a love potion in any case. However, deep in her heart she had hoped that it wasn't a love potion. Learning the outcome of the Ahprodite's Curse only strengthened the need for her to get that book of ancient spells as soon as possible. "Well... i guess we should break the news to Ginny as well... don't you think? since she is a victim in this episode as well..." before Lodina could finish her sentence, she was cut off abruptly by Draco. "No... she shouldn't know... don't you understand Dina? What if she was the one who prepared the potion? The potion had to have a strand of her hair for it to work..." this time, it was Draco's turn to be cut off. "You can't possibly think that Ginny WANTED to make this potion... That's simply absurd... i mean Ginny would never ..." "We're keeping this within ourselves Dina... that's final..." Hearing the finality in his voice, Lodina decided that it was best not to argue with Draco. She didn't have the stamina left anyway to last through another quarrel. "Fine... I won't tell Ginny... I will look into my dad's book of spells to see if i can find any information about an antidote to reverse the spell... I'll let you know when i find one Malfoy..." "ok... good... oh by the way... Was the night we had our welcome feast a full moon?" Draco asked with a sense of urgency in his voice... "No... it wasn't... strangely enough though... it was the Lunar solstice... it happens once every ten years... not many people know about it... It happens when the planet Venus blocks the moon completely... people usually think it's a full moon they're seeing when they look up into the sky... but in actual fact... it's the planet Venus... which is slightly bigger than the moon when seen with the naked eye... so technically we have one more month till the next full moon to reverse this spell..." Lodina replied knowing Draco's intention for his last question. "It's rather late... I think you should be getting back to your dormitory Malfoy..." Lodina said, hoping Draco could sense that she didn't want him staying in the Gryffindor common room any longer. She couldn't bring herself to see his face without crying her eyes out about the decision she'd taken, for she loved him too damn much. Sensing that Lodina wanted him gone, Draco started to say his goodbyes but not before someone had heard their bickering. Harry was naturally a light sleeper and was now wide awake from all the racket Lodina and Draco were making in the Common Room. Quietly, he tip-toed to the top of the staricase just to get a good glimpse of what was going on. Fortunately for them though, Harry had only heard their goodbyes. He quickly tip-toed back to bed to avoid getting caught. 'They do sound hostile though... I wonder what's up..' Harry thought as he willed himself to sleep once more...
~-~
A couple of days had passed and it was now time for the first quidditch match of the season. Gryffindor was to play against Slytherin. The whole school was excited as a Gryffindor/Slytherin match had always been an exciting one, not to be missed. The crowds were cheering wildly and the mascots, the Gryffindor and Slytherin House Dragons, were now up and about entertaining the crowd with their antics. Madam Hooch finally blew the whistle and both the teams kicked off from the ground in a speedy start. Minutes into the match, both Harry and Draco spotted the snitch. Both of them made spectacular dives, but something strange happened. Draco knew that Harry was one who never had any doubts when playing quidditch, yet something seemed wrong with Harry that day and he wasn't playing with his soul. Harry pulled out of the dive too early and because of that, Draco managed to catch the snitch instead. 'What's wrong with Pothead? He never makes a wrong decision when catching the snitch?! ' Draco thought as he was now being carried by his team mates. A downcast and dejected Gryffindor quidditch team headed for the bleachers as the crowd went frenzy. The Slytherins were cheering happily, while the other houses looked terribly downcast as it was a Slytherin victory. Harry had never failed to catch the snitch and Draco was now curious as to why Harry wasn't playing at his best. Something seemed to distract him and he was curious more than ever to find out what it was that distracted the Boy-Who-Lived....
Clutching the Dragon's seal from under his quidditch robes, Draco muttered the communication spell and entered Harry's thoughts once more. "Pothead... why so glum? It wasn't you who was flying today... you were a different person... not that i'm saddened by my victory of course... quite the contrary.... but it irritates me to know that you could have flewn better and that i've only defeated Gryffindor coz' it's 'star' seeker was distracted... not like i couldn't have beaten you when you weren't as distracted as today... but.. oh hell... you get the picture... what's up then?" Draco communicated, eagerly waiting for Harry's reply, snitch still tightly grasped in his other hand. "you know... I'm starting to regret giving you that Medallion Malfoy... in any case, it was nothing... Ginny and I haven't been hitting it off at all since the start of school... i wonder what's wrong with her... I don't know what I've done wrong... but she tries to get away from me every time i go near her... i want to make things better... but i'm at a loss of what to do right now....anyway, enough about me... I should be asking you that same question Malfoy... since when did Dina start addressing you by 'Malfoy' and not Draco or luv anymore eh?" Harry said with a smirk, not knowing what he was roping himself into. 'Oh damn! how did he know about that?' Draco thought as he found that he was at a loss and didn't know how to respond to Harry. He was feeling guilty about Harry's situation seeing that it was partly his fault that Ginny had acted the way she did towards Harry. Without realising he'd accidentally let go of the snitch, Draco inquired further. "How much do you know Pothead? Spill it now or I'll let the magazines and newspapers in on a lil' juicy gossip about the Boy-Who-Lived..." Draco said still shocked and curious about how much Harry knew about his encounter with Aphrodite's Curse...
~Nymphadora~
[Tonks was grooving to Korn's Slept So Long | 
~ cynical]
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Chapter 2
Aphrodite's Curse
Ginny felt tingly all over. She never knew a kiss from Draco could be so sinful yet captivating all the same. She didn't love Draco the way she loved Harry. No, definitely not. But there was some sort of animal magnetism between them. She lusted for him, but felt no love for him. Was that even possible? Ginny's head was throbbing from all the thinking she was doing. She thought it best to seek comfort from her best friend Lodina. Ginny hurried to the Gryffindor dormitories to find her only source of comfort.
"Dina! I've been looking all over for you!" Ginny exclaimed in relief as she reached forward and gave Lodina a friendly hug. Lodina didn't reciprocate the hug but Ginny was too eager to explain everything that had happened earlier to even notice the change in Lodina's hospitality. Ginny and Lodina shared the same room and thus, had the room all to themselves. Quickly, Ginny ushered Lodina to her bed-side, swung the curtains to screen out the scenary from the windows and started unravelling the day's events to Lodina. Lodina tried very hard to remain calm but tears began to well up in her eyes. Fortunately, Ginny was still too dazed by what had happened to notice anything amiss with Lodina. "He just kissed me Dina! I didn't know how to respond! I mean i enjoyed it... it was oddly satisfying... but i knew it was wrong... i love Harry, Dina... but i don't know why i'm starting to feel things for that Malfoy git too... it's all soo confusing right now... i wish i don't have to see Malfoy ever again.... he just took off after saying those words to me! i mean what was a girl like me expected to do in that kind of a situation? and right after he said that... he walked away so fast... i don't know what to think anymore Dina... What was he thinking?"Ginny said as she slumped back down on her bed. Lodina heaved a heavy sigh before she answered Ginny. She didn't want to look at Ginny in the eye for fear of revealing more than she intended to. "Gin, I really don't know what Malfoy was thinking at that point of time... I have no clue as to what made him say those words to you... i mean he may not have known what he was doing since he was drunk..." Lodina started but was quickly cut off by Ginny. "How did you know he was drunk?" Ginny asked meticuluously as her eyes narrowed. "Oh... i mean him being drunk could be the only possible reason right? i was just making a suggestion Gin... " Lodina covered her tracks as she waited for Ginny's nod of acceptance. Lodina couldn't believe she was still sticking up for Draco. Perhaps that was her own concocted alliby to keep herself from getting hurt some more. But the truth was still inevitable. Drunk or not, Draco did kiss her best friend and whatsmore, he told her he loved her! Accepting Lodina's cover-up, Ginny merely shrugged and slumped back onto her bed. "I suppose you're right Dina... i did smell some sort of alcohol in his breath when he kissed me... but i tasted something else too... something sweet ... it tasted a lot like cocoa.... only more intoxicating... anyway Dina... I'm exhausted right now... i think i'm going to hit the sacks.... I'll see you in the morning... and Dina... thanks for everything... " Ginny smiled as she pulled the covers of her bed sheet over her head. She needed all the sleep she could get. She figured things would be alright in the morning and slowly drifted off to sleep with the happy thought that she'd get to see Harry at breakfast.
~-~
Lodina couldn't sleep. Her best friend had just sought comfort for something that hurt her more than anything in this world and yet who was to comfort her? She couldn't possibly go to Harry as it might break his heart to learn the truth about his Ginny. It was already late at night and almost all of the students were fast asleep. Lodina paced the Gryffindor common room in the hope of getting some answers but to no avail. Just then, the portrait hole swung open.
"I distinctly remember us having a date tonight at my chambers... What held you up luv?" Draco drawled as he straightened himself up and out of the portrait hole, leaning against the wall. "Oh... nothing... Ginny was confused... and she needed me to be there... so yea... i couldn't go over..." Lodina said determined to not make eye contact with Draco. Unfortunately, her tactic didn't work this time around. Draco new something was amiss. He went over to Lodina and placed an arm around her shoulders. "Don't... Don't come any closer Draco... you disgust me... just how many people have you been snogging in deserted staircase landings? I trusted you... and this is what you do behind my back?" Lodina glowered as she shrugged off Draco's arm and retreated backwards. "you didn't... Ginny told you? but why would she? unless... you didn't tell her about us Dina? but why? I thought we agreed that you would tell the others..." Draco started off but was immediately cut off by Lodina who was now holding out her wand arm, wand outstretched. "You're missing the point totally Draco... You kissed her! and you told her you love her! Why did you lie to me?" "Dina... just put the wand down... I'll explain everything right now..." Draco said as he placed a silencing charm around the common room so that none of the Gryffindors would hear their bickering in the middle of the night. "Alright Draco... I loved you... and I still do... for that reason alone, I'm giving you a chance to explain yourself... you have 2 minutes... but the wand stays where it is... I'm not putting my wand down...." Lodina said with a sort of finality in her voice. Deep inside of her, she wanted to believe Draco's explanation, but her mind said otherwise. "Alright Dina... you can keep pointing the wand at me... but can we at least have a seat?" Draco asked as he ushered Lodina to one of the Gryffindor couches and started unfolding the day's events.
"You said you loved her, but you didn't mean it? Draco... what were you playing at? Have you gone mental?!" Lodina lashed out in sheer anger and frustration. "No Dina... you don't understand... I love you... nothing and no one can ever change that... but this feeling i have for Ginny... i can safely say it's artificial... it's not like what we have... it's something different... things started to become topsy turvy right after my second drink of Mai Tai at the Welcome Feast... I don't understand why..." Draco said while studying Lodina's expressions carefully. A sudden wave of nausea swept over Lodina as she realised what could have made Draco act the way he did. "Draco... do you remember how that Mai Tai tasted? Was there some sort of cocoa blend to it? You've got to remember Draco... I think someone could have drugged you with a dose of love potion... " Lodina said as the anger and frustration that had built up within her earlier slowly subsided. "I can't remember luv... but cocoa you say? what makes you so sure it's a love potion then? Love potions usually have a sort of bitter taste to them... cocoa's sweet, am I wrong? how could it have been a love potion?" Draco asked, perplexed. "I don't know for sure Draco but I'm going to find out.... and I'm sorry for acting so irrationally just now Draco... I was just..." but before Lodina could finish her sentence, Draco pulled her close for a hot and passionate kiss. His hands started to wonder along the soft curves of her body until he finally cupped her bum. Lodina pushed away from the kiss suddenly looking downcast once more. "What's wrong luv?" Draco asked still puzzled as to why she pulled out of the kiss. "Nothing Draco... It's just... I don't feel comfortable doing this anymore... not when i know you may have feelings for my best friend... i think we should take a break for awhile... at least until we can sort this out... after we find your antidote... maybe then we could try to pick up the pieces..." a tear escaped from Lodina's eyes and Draco motioned to wipe her eyes dry, but was stopped by Lodina herself. "Don't Draco... I love you and as painful as this is for me... i know i have to do this... I can't concentrate on helping you while knowing that you might be cheating behind my back... I can't ... " Lodina said as she moved away abruptly from Draco's embrace. Draco took the cue and turned to leave the common room. Just before he left the portrait hole however, he turned back to see his Lodina once more. "Just know this Dina... I love you.. and nothing can change that... not even the most ancient of love potions would be able to erase the love i have for you... and i swear... i will make the insufferable prick who did this pay dearly... for now i will do as you wish... but it will only cause great pain to the both of us..." having said this, Lodina let out a soft whimper as another tear rolled down her cheeks. She shut her eyes tightly for she couldn't bear to see Draco leave. "I love you Dina..." Draco said as he closed the portrait hole shut leaving a weeping Lodina huddled up in the Gryffindor common room.
~-~
'A love potion? nah... it couldn't be... could it?' As far as he knew, love potions didn't taste anything like cocoa; plus he would have recognised it from the smell immediately. 'It must be something else...' Draco thought out loud as he paced up and down his room. He wanted to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible so that things with Lodina could be back to normal. If it was a love potion, he'd have to start searching the books of the Hogwarts library as to which type of love potion it could have been. But there are trillions of books in the library! Just where should he start first? Deciding that he shouldn't waste any time, Draco finally decided to seek someone's help. Someone he was sure knew the Hogwarts Library inside out.
~-~
"Granger... how are you this morning? It is a lovely sunny day... what are you doing indoors on a day such as this? Not picking up after Longbottom are we?" Draco smirked as he rounded off Hermione just after breakfast the next day. "Ah, Malfoy... to what do I owe the displeasure of your company then?" Hermione returned his smirk with a friendly wave. "Oh nothing... it's just that i need a favour..." Draco said in hushed tones such that Hermione thought she had heard wrong. "Come again? Did YOU, THE DRACO MALFOY, ask ME, the so-called 'Mudblood' a favour?? I'm sorry... tell me i heard wrong Malfoy..." Hermione blinked in shock. Draco was half surprised Hermione had refered to herself as a 'mudblood' but decided that there were more pressing issues at hand to attend to instead of mulling over that. "Yes.... I asked you for a favour alright...don't wear it out... it's really important... and i know you as good as live in that library... so could you do me a favour?" Draco was persistent and Hermione sensed the urgency in his voice. Deciding against pursuing the real crux of why Malfoy had gone to her for help, Hermione lent Malfoy a listening ear as he told her what he was looking for. "So let me get this straight.... you want me to look up the books for this supposed 'love potion' ... and tell you what it does?" Hermione held Draco's gaze. "Yes... let's just take it as I owe you a favour as of now shall we? oh and Granger... do keep this a secret... I don't want Pothead and Weaselboy to know about this..." Draco said with a stern finality in his voice as he walked away, not hearing Hermione's reply to what he had just said.
Draco marched off for Potions Class, his favourite class of the day. Seeing that it was Potter's least favourite class made Draco all the more inclined to tick him off under Snape's nose. But today was different. He needed to talk to Potter, but with the piles of homework they've been getting in preparation for their OWLs, Draco hardly saw Harry other than in class. Clutching the Dragon's seal, Draco muttered the communication spell and connected with Harry's mind. "Hello Pothead... you're mixing up the eye of newt with the scarab beetle shell... something seems to be getting under your skin... " Draco smirked as he glanced over at Harry's cauldron. "what do you want Malfoy?" Harry grimaced as he quickly replaced his scarab beetle shell with the eye of newt. "Oh nothing... well.. i was just wondering... how you would take it if someone snogged your precious little red head behind your back?" Draco deepened his grin as he watched Harry's fists clench tightly together. "What do you mean Malfoy... what did you do to Ginny??" Harry glowered as he turned red with anger. "Potter, why are you staring across the classroom? Are the instructions for the concoction of this potion written on the windows perhaps? Ten points from Gryffindor... get back to work Potter..." Snape drawled as he swept past Harry. "Careful Potter... you might just land yourself in detention..." Draco let out a stifled chuckle as he turned his eyes back to his own cauldron. "Something's up Malfoy... and you better spill... what did you do to Ginny? I swear... i will rip your heart out and wear it round my neck as i watch you die Malfoy... you just wait..." Harry was immediately cut off by Draco. "Relax Pothead... you can keep your girlfriend... I was just having a lil fun...besides...red-heads aren't my type... " Draco communicated as he muttered the couterspell to the communication spell. But deep down inside Draco knew that as much fun as it was to taunt Harry, the real reason for asking him that question was to gauge his reaction. 'Yup... definitely not telling Pothead... he'd skin me alive for sure...' Draco thought as he slumped back into his seat and quietly finished his potion throughout the rest of the class.
The potions class seemed longer than usual, but maybe that was because the potion that Snape had set them seemed incredibly difficult even for a sixth year to manage. Once the bell signalling the end of class had rung, Draco put his books into his sling bag and headed off to the Great Hall for lunch, but not before he was caught off guard by none other than Hermione herself. "Malfoy... I've found what you're looking for..." Hermione said in a whisper. 'Man... she's good... that was fast...' Draco thought to himself as he let himself be guided into a small corridor by Hermione. "Malfoy... How much do you know about Aphrodite's Curse?" Hermione asked to a now, dumbfounded Malfoy...
~Nymphadora~
[Tonks was grooving to Disturbed's Voices | ~ bummed out]
Monday, July 24, 2006
Chapter 1
Would you love me till the end of
time?
Two and a half months was far too long. He had endured the wait, but was now growing more impatient by the minute. 'Patience is a virtue...', she'd always say, whenever he rushed to get under her clothes. He chuckled to himself as he found himself thinking of things he would do to her once he had gotten her alone in the compartment. 'Oh yes, this was definitely worth the wait...' Draco smirked as he stepped into an empty compartment and placed a silencing charm around it. He was sure she got the hint when he brushed past her on Platform 9 3/4. He was sure she felt the same yearning as he had when he passed her the note, away from the prying eyes of the other Gryffindors. Now all he had to do was to wait and soon, she'd be his for the taking. Draco sat down near the window of the compartment and stared outside. He saw Pothead, Weaselboy and Granger saying their goodbyes to the Weasley family. Ever since their little escapade a few months back, Draco had ceased referring to Hermione as the Mudblood. He had started addressing her by her surname and that, in Harry's opinion, was the start of something 'new'. He hated the way Pothead had grown comfortable around his presence, but deep down, Draco felt a slight sense of happiness all the same. Draco's summer vacation was spent in The Burrow with the Weasleys since it was now not safe to return to the Manor. Dumbledore had made all the necessary arrangements for Draco and his mother to spend the holidays away from Voldermort's eyes and as much as he hated to admit it, Draco did feel a tad bit more grateful to Dumbledore. Draco's eyes landed on Lodina as he saw her hug a big black dog and ruffle its fur at the back of its ears. 'That stud should start acting like her father instead of her pet... ' Draco grimaced as he saw Lodina give a final loving pat on the Black dog's head before turning to plant a kiss on a young lady's cheek. Draco was amused as this lady had pink hair and, to say the least, had a very punky fashion sense. He made a mental note to ask Lodina about her new funky 'friend' later. Just then, he heard the door to his compartment swing open. Harry was standing in the doorway, along with Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Draco was turning slightly pink around the ears. 'What the hell are these baffoons doing here?' Draco thought as he shifted in his seat. "I'm sure the Slytherin Prince wouldn't mind some company would he? I don't fancy walking all the way to the other end of the carriage hunting for an empty compartment when there's one right here!" Harry smirked as he turned to face Draco. 'That's it.... Pothead's going down...' Draco thought as he muttered the Drakon connecting spell while clutching the Dragon Seal under his robes. "Pothead... if you know what's best for you...get out of the compartment NOW... " Draco communicated to Harry as he calmly sat by the window, pretending to read the Daily Prophet which Hermione had placed beside him. "oooo... I'm sooo scared... what are you gonna do Drakey?? curse me into oblivion? Don't think i don't know what you're up to Malfoy... I saw you passing her the note...you sly dog you...." Harry smirked as he sat opposite to Draco. "So you think you know everything do you? In that case, I'm sure you don't mind me letting slip about you 'accidentally' sleepwalking into Ginny's room every night while you were camping out at Weaselboy's home... I'm sure he'd love to hear all about the late night shagging sessions his best friend was having with his only sister... don't you agree Pothead?" Draco sniggered as he glanced up to see Potter's horror-stricken face. "Harry, you ok mate? you don't look too good..." Ron asked as he stuffed his mouth with a couple of pumpkin pasteys. "I've changed my mind... lets go sit at the end of the carriage... I'm sure Malfoy has some 'business' to attend to with his other Slytherins... I don't fancy myself getting caught in the middle of a brawl..." Harry said as he abruptly dragged Ginny and Ron out of the compartment. Hermione looked confused but decided against questioning him as she turned on her heel and left Draco all alone in the compartment, grinning to himself.A few minutes later, Draco heard someone hurrying along the corridor of the train. The footsteps were getting louder and he recognised them straight away. The train was pulling off from the station as well and it was beginning to get a little jerky. Draco quickly stepped outside of his cabin and put an arm out to break Lodina's fall as she tripped because of the jerky train start. She stared blankly at him at first, but after she finally registered what was going on, she let him lead her into the compartment as he muttered a locking charm to prevent anyone from entering the cabin while they were 'busy'. Draco didn't remove his arms from around her waist as he pulled her close beside him. He motioned for the seat and placed her ontop of him, on his lap. Lodina could feel his manhood growing hard on her bum as she smirked. "Someone's really eager to meet me ... I don't suppose I should give him a welcome present do you?" Lodina whispered softly into his ear as she brushed a stray strand of silvery blonde hair out of Draco's perfectly contoured face. Draco turned her around on his lap so that she faced him and immediately plunged into a deep and long kiss. Both of them broke free to get some air. "Yes... I do suppose he wants his welcome present... he's been waiting for far too long... " Draco smirked as he started unbuttoning her cloak and the front of her blouse as well. Draco fumbled a bit with the buttons and cursed silently under his breath. Lodina heard this and chuckled to herself as she started unbuttoning the front of his shirt as well. "What's so funny? I am the Slytherin Prince mind you, and I'm anything but funny..." Draco cocked his head and let out a sly grin as he paused to look at her slender frame. He memorised all the curves on her body and was eager to ravish her fully. He had waited too long. The only times he'd touched her was when she stayed over at the Burrow for a couple of nights for Harry's birthday party. Draco had of course visited her at her own home when she was fast asleep and unaware of his presence. Sometimes he'd lay down beside her, caressing her jawline and memorising every detail of her face. "Well I don't know abt Slytherin Prince... but you are mine though... My Prince... " Lodina said seductively as she lashed her tongue into his mouth once more as they locked in a tight embrace with fiery passion. She could feel him getting hard under her and loved the way she could control him. She grinded against him in a rhythmic fashion and made him moan in their kiss. "You carry this on Dina, and i might have to take you here... right now ... in this cabin..." Draco said in between kisses as he sent butterfly kisses all the way down her neck and collarbone. Lodina let out a soft moan as she twirled her fingers into his fine silvery blonde hair. The hair on the nape of his neck stood on end as she reached forward and nibbled on his earlobe. His bare chest was now on hers as he reached behind her to unfasten her bra strap. "Ahem... you do know the connection is still there don't you? You didn't close the connection you dimwit... not like this isn't interesting... but i can't eat my chocolate frogs knowing what you two are doing in the cabin every step of the way..." hearing Potter's voice in his head definitely messed up the romantic vibes he had going on with Lodina. "Potter!" Draco grimaced as he pulled out of Lodina's embrace and started to mutter the counterspell of the Drakon communication spell. "Potter? Ow... Is there something you're not telling me luv? " Lodina eyed Draco with curiosity. "oh it's nothing. We'll have to continue this some other time Dina. I forgot to close the communication with Pothead over here and he heard what was ... well... what we were sort of up to..." Draco blushed as he began buttoning his shirt. Lodina looked downcast for a moment as she too starting putting on her blouse and cloak which was strewn across the floor of the cabin. She had missed him so much during the holidays and now when she finally had her chance to be alone with him, they were interrupted by none other than her God-brother. Draco saw her dejected expression and quickly grabbed her close and pulled her in for a fiery kiss. "We're nearing Hogwarts anyway... and in any case... I'm not gonna let Potter get away with this... We'll definitely continue this later luv... when we have a luxury of a bed... in my chambers... possibly after the welcome feast... when everyone's fast alseep...." Draco smirked as he helped Lodina fasten her cloak. Lodina snuggled close to him, her hands wrapped tightly around his firm waist throughout the journey to Hogwarts. She knew their love was eternal but she still loved hearing him tell her how much he loves her every now and then. "Would you love me till the end of time, Draco?" Lodina asked, her sleepy eyes gazing deep into Draco's. "You know the answer to that my luv... Nothing and no one can ever come between us... I'll love you for all eternity and beyond..." Draco said as he planted a kiss on her forehead. Satisfied with the answer she'd just gotten, Lodina drifted off to sleep clutching him tightly. Draco put his hands around her shoulders and cradled her as he watched the love of his life sleep peacefully beside him. Nothing could ever come between their sweet love and lust for each other.~-~
Lodina sat with the other Gryffindors, determined to not make eye contact with Harry, still embarrassed by what he had overheard in the train. "Dina! How are you? It's been ages! I didn't see you get on the train.... which compartment were you in?" Ginny talked enthusiastically as she sat down next to Lodina in the Great Hall. Lodina still hadn't told any of her friends about her relationship with the Slytherin Prince. The only person who knew of their relationship was Harry. While Hermione, Ginny and her brothers knew of Draco's heroic transformation at the Malfoy Manor in Romania, she failed to tell them about her on going 'affair' with Draco. Harry sat down on the other side of Ginny, and planted a kiss on her forehead. He turned to look at Lodina and gave her a wide grin. "Yea Dina... where were you? We missed you on the train... " Harry smirked. Lodina glowed different shades of pink as she turned away from Harry's gaze and took a sip from her mug of Butterbeer. Unknown to the Gryffindors, way across at the other end of the Great Hall, Draco was observing them with utmost attention. He noticed the uneasy look on Lodina's face and the look of satisfaction on Harry's face. On impulse, he muttered the connection spell once again and confronted Harry, in his thoughts. "You better not be taunting my girl Potter... If i see you embarassing her in any way... i swear upon the pureblood ancestory of the Malfoys that your little secret with the littlest Weasley will make it to the front page of every wizard magazine and newspaper... " Draco stared straight at Harry, his eyes burning holes through Harry's skin. "Relax Malfoy, I was just teasing her... that's all... she is afterall my God-sister... I would never do anything to hurt her Malfoy... don't make the mistake of thinking that you're the only person around here who cares about her... oh... but i have to admit though... you two make such a cute couple... strange... but cute... ickle Slytherin Prince with his Gryffindor Princess... " smirked Harry. Harry was now looking straight at Draco from the other end of the hall. "Whatever Potter..." Draco resigned as he started to blush. He quickly muttered the counterspell before he could give Potter a chance to retort and took a sip of his favourite Mai Tai. Swirling the Mai Tai in his glass, Draco was unaware that Dumbledore had started making the usual start of term announcements. He was too lost in his own train of thought. 'Slytherin Prince and Gryffindor Princess eh? ' Draco liked the 'ring' to that statement. He grinned to himself as he drank some more. After two glasses of Mai Tais, Draco started to feel a little dizzy. 'That's odd.... it usually takes more than that to get me flat out drunk... 'Draco thought. He excused himself from the Slytherin table to surrender to his chambers. He decided that it was better to rest for a bit and avoid the risk of getting caught for drinking Mai Tais within the walls of Hogwarts. Besides, he had a date with Lodina and he wanted to make sure that he was sober throughout the night. He staggered through the corridor as his vision became slightly blurred. 'What the hell is happening to me?' Draco thought as he started feeling a little lighter. It was not the usual feeling of getting high as he was still very much sober and his thoughts were still coherent. Draco staggered some more as he reached the staircase landing where he finally collapsed onto the ground. Just then, he heard a pair of footsteps running towards him and felt a pair of soft hands guide him back up onto his feet. "Lodina? Is that you?" Draco asked wearily. He couldn't even recognise the person in front of him! "Erm no... It's me... Ginny... Ginny Weasley... I was coming out of the restroom when i saw you on the floor... is everything alright? I think u need the hospital wing... here... take my hand... let me help you up..." Ginny said as she helped Draco onto his feet. Just then, Draco felt a sudden wave of lust sweep over him. He felt light and warm and the so-called 'blindness' he was experiencing vanished. He was now no longer dizzy as well. He steadied himself in Ginny's arms nonetheless and stared into her eyes. But before he could say his thanks, he bent down and pulled her close for a long and hard kiss. Ginny was stunned she knew she had to pull out of the kiss. It was the right thing to do. But she couldn't help it. She enjoyed the kiss with Draco Malfoy! She felt a pang of guilt coursing through her veins but there was no denying the fact that Draco Malfoy was dead sexy, especially when he was in a most vulnerable position. Without thinking, Draco muttered something softly into Ginny's ears. "I love you Ginny..." Ginny stood shocked. She couldn't comprehend what had just happened. After saying those words, Draco shot back to reality. He realised what he had just done. But why? What swept over him to make him say those words to her? He knew he wasn't himself when he kissed her. He couldn't control these new feelings inside of him. He loved Lodina dearly, but what was this new feeling he felt for Ginny as well? It wasn't the kind of love he felt with Lodina. It felt as if someone had forced him to say those words and to kiss her as well. What was wrong with him? Draco stumbled backwards in a bid to flee from Ginny. He didn't want to hit it off with Potter's girlfriend! He didn't even like the red head, or so he thought. He knew he couldn't control the sudden outburst of feelings he felt for the girl. These feelings, he knew, seemed artificial. Much to the surprise of Ginny, he started to walk away briskly leaving her stunned at end of the staircase landing...
~-~
Lodina was looking over at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. She saw Draco swirling his Mai Tai in a grandeur fashion and quietly stifled a giggle. She loved it when he was deep in thought. She loved the way his shoulders would tense slightly and the way his mouth would curl occasionally into a small smirk. But just then, she noticed Draco getting a little dizzy. He seemed a little off colour and she figured that he probably had one too many glasses of Mai Tais. Concerned, she decided to follow him out of the Great Hall as he made his way out of the Hall as well. Her heart sank as she saw him stagger. She quickened her pace but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Ginny emerge from the restroom.'Damn! She can't know about 'US' yet...' Lodina thought as she hid behind the statue of the one-eyed witch. Her heart breathed a sigh of relief once she saw Ginny helping her Slytherin Prince up onto his feet. 'Well, at least he's ok now... I'll have to give him a dose of my personal 'medicine' later on, just in case... ' Lodina thought as she smirked from behind the statue. But, her joy was short-lived as she saw her Draco kiss her best friend right in front of her eyes...
~Nymphadora~
[Tonks was grooving to Hans Zimmer's The Kraken | 
~ tired]
