A Love That Was Meant To Be

Chapter 4

Months passed and soon it was nearly time for winter break. The conference between Yvonne and Lucius Malfoy was scheduled for three o'clock Friday the 20^th of December.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Snape asked Yvonne that Friday afternoon. "Lucius is very powerful. He could very well...erm...do something drastic to you."

The brunette smiled faintly. "I'll be fine, Severus. Besides, I'm doing this on behalf of Draco. I care for that boy, and what Lucius is doing to him is wrong," she said.

"But what if he...tells Voldemort about you?"

"You said the next Death Eater meeting is when?" she said, quickly changing the subject.

"January 2^nd. I told Voldemort that I had a returning guest coming at the last meeting, which was November 4."

"Ah, so that's why you were out for that night, eh?"

"Yes," he sighed. He took her hands gently in his. "Yvonne, if Lucius tries anything, call for me."

"Okay, Severus." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. The two were gradually becoming better friends as the year pressed on. "I'll see you in a few." Snape nodded and closed the door after he left. Yvonne was going through some papers, when she heard a voice drawl, "Well, well, well. If it isn't Little Miss Perfect Davis."

Yvonne looked into her fireplace to find Lucius Malfoy climbing out of it, dusting the ash off of his fine robes. "A pleasure to see you too, Lucius," she said calmly as he walked forward towards her desk. "I trust you know why I called for this meeting?"

"No, actually I don't. Care to fill me in?" he replied coolly sitting in a chair opposite of hers.

"It's about your son, Draco. A few months ago, he had a dream that you...came to Hogwarts forcing him to become a...a Death Eater. I found him that night outside on the grounds, unconscious by a large oak tree. Would you like to tell me what happened that night, Lucius? Or do I need to use the Veritaserum Potion on you?"

Lucius gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. "Do not threaten me, Davis," he spat coldly. "I really don't give a bloody damn what you say. My personal life is none of your concern."

"Very true. But this concerns not only you, but your son as well. Draco fears you, Lucius--"

"And that's exactly what he's supposed to do. Sons fear their fathers."

"Really? When was this rule made out, I wonder?"

"Shut up, you stupid girl. I don't need lectures from someone who has been in Azkaban for three years."

Yvonne's eyes flashed with malice. "Listen here, Malfoy. Whether you like it or not, I am responsible for Draco. He's my student."

"He's also my son!" he shouted standing up and glaring at her. "You cannot tell me how to raise my child!"

"No, but I can help you become a better parent to him. If you do not start treating Draco with more respect, then I shall have to take drastic measures."

"Oh?" he mocked. "And those would be?"

"I will be forced to...to adopt him."

Lucius blinked at her blankly. "You would adopt Draco?" he repeated. "What does he see in you anyway?"

"Since my temper is already burning up, I won't retaliate by smacking you. However, your son seems to think that I am a better mother to him than Narcissa is. I pity Draco very much for not having a loving family."

"We gave him everything he wanted! He has a duty to fulfill in the ranks of my master!"

"I see," Yvonne said slowly in understanding. "Lucius, I stay true to my words and I promise you that if I hear that Draco is not being treated properly, I will go to the Ministry of Magic and formally adopt him. I am not joking in this matter. Good day to you, Lucius. I trust we will see each other again soon." Mr. Malfoy continued to glare at her with loathing. He hated Yvonne Davis with a passion. He didn't care if his master wanted her dead or alive, he would make that bitch pay soon enough for corrupting his son.

"Always a pleasure to see you as well...Yvonne," he lied through his teeth. He used Floo Powder to disappear from her office. Yvonne groaned and put her face in her hands. There was a sudden knocking on her door.

"Come in," she drawled. Harry quietly made his way toward her. "Oh, Harry, I wasn't expecting you," she said looking quite startled. "What can I do for you?"

"I heard screaming from outside your door. Who was in here with you before?" he replied looking around, as if expecting someone else to be there.

"It was Lucius Malfoy. I had a meeting with him today and let's just say that it could have gone a lot better and more smoothly."

"Lucius Malfoy? Why did you need to speak with him?" he frowned.

"It was about Draco. I told Lucius that if he didn't start treating his son with more respect that I would adopt Draco myself."

Harry's expression changed to horror. "Adopt Malfoy?" he croaked. "You must be joking, right? You can't possible mean that you would actually adopt him. Sirius would explode and not to mention that I'm not all that thrilled about this either. Seeing Malfoy in school is enough, but seeing him in the same house is just...wrong."

Yvonne chuckled. "You two have a rivalry that can be settled. All you need is time, Harry."

"I am not getting along with Draco Malfoy. He's a stupid git with a stupid father and a stuck-up mother," he said stubbornly crossing his arms over his chest.

"I know."

"How do you plan to tell Sirius, hmm? He won't take this very well."

"Look, it's not for certain. It all depends on Lucius's behavior."

"And we all know what a perfect angel Lucius Malfoy is," Harry said sarcastically.

"I would only tell Sirius when I thought was right."

"Yeah? Well I'd tell him the first chance I got."

"You wouldn't send him an owl, would you? Harry, please. Sirius doesn't need this on his mind. He's got better things to worry about."

"Yvonne, he's my godfather and he wants me to tell him everything. Chances are, he'd only come to the school to talk to you or something."

"No, don't send him an owl. I...I can tell him over Christmas vacation."

"You're not staying at the school?"

"Hell no. Are you kidding? I'd rather spend the holidays with you guys."

"Okay, then I'll owl Sirius to tell him you're coming home with me. Don't worry, I won't mention the little Malfoy-adoption thing."

"Thanks, Harry," she sighed happily. "The Hogwarts Express leaves tomorrow doesn't it?"

"Yep. We'd better get packed." Harry left the room and hurried back to the dormitories. He told Ron and Hermione everything, minus the Malfoy-adoption thing of course.

"Odd," said Hermione thoughtfully. "Professor Davis seems very protective of Malfoy, doesn't she?"

"Yeah, so what?" Ron snapped. "He's her favorite student. Big deal."

"No Ron, I meant why she's so protective of him," she said coldly. "If Lucius Malfoy is forcing him to do something he doesn't want to do, why does Yvonne have to get involved?"

"Who knows," Harry sighed. "Anyway, I'm writing to Sirius. Gotta tell him that Yvonne's coming home with me." He quickly wrote down a small message and handed it to Hedwig. "Make sure this gets to Sirius, okay?" he said to her. The snowy owl hooted and took flight.

Sirius received the letter while he was sitting at the table eating dinner. He read it through and smiled about halfway.

Dear Sirius,

Just thought I'd mention that Yvonne has decided to spend the holidays with us. That should make you happy. Just kidding. In case you're interested, Yvonne and Snape are just friends now. They haven't done anything bad. Although, since you dislike her so much, I don't see how that would bother you. So, send an owl back soon.

Harry

He grabbed a quill and some parchment to write back.

Harry--

Can't say I'm too thrilled with Yvonne staying the holidays, but hey, I've had worse days. It's good to hear that Snape and Yvonne are just friends. I was beginning to worry if they were in item. Anyway, there is a surprise that will be here tomorrow when you guys return. I think you'll both like it very much. See you tomorrow!

Sirius

Sirius handed Hedwig the letter so that she could return it to Harry. The next morning, Harry got Sirius' letter. Yvonne was passing by the table and he handed her the letter.

"A surprise?" she repeated. "I wonder what that goofball's planning..."

"I hope it's good."

"Usually all of Sirius' surprises turn out bad. One time he surprised me with a real fancy rose and it turns out it was a water sprayer. I was soaking wet the entire day. And that was before we were dating. Stop laughing, it isn't funny." Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all trying to contain their laughter, but it was very hard. "Fine, joke about it. But if this surprise turns out to be one of his silly pranks, I'll strangle him."

The train ride seemed to go back faster that usual. Yvonne and Harry took a taxi to Sirius' house, only because they didn't feel like walking. Harry knocked on the door. It opened and both Yvonne and Harry gasped. It was Remus Lupin.

Harry ran up to his former professor and hugged him. Yvonne was still gaping at him as if she hadn't seen him in a hundred years. "R-Remus?" she gasped and he nodded. He smiled at her.

"Good to see you, Yvonne," he replied.

"I-I can't believe you're here. I've missed you so much!" she cried and ran into his arms. Tears were falling down her face and landing on his shabby old robes.

"It's okay, Yvy," he said calling her by her nickname. He stroked her hair gently.

Yvonne pulled away and looked behind Remus to see Sirius grinning like a crazy man. "How did you...?" she began, but he silenced her.

"I had already invited Remus to spend the holiday with us. However, when Harry told me that you would be coming too, I figured it'd be a nice little reunion."

"T-This is the best thing you've ever done for me!" She ran into his arms and hugged him as she cried into his clothes. Sirius felt awkward, but patted her back for comfort.

"It was nothing, really," he tried to say, but she shook her head.

"No, it is something. I haven't seen Remus for a long time. It feels like I haven't see him for millions of years."

"It sure feels that way," Remus agreed placing a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe you should let Sirius go, Yvonne; you're kind of squeezing him."

"Oh, sorry," she mumbled letting Sirius go. He breathed in deeply.

"C'mon," he said to the others. "Dinner's almost done."

"Remus, you let him cook?" Yvonne gasped. Harry grinned at her as he dragged his suitcase into the living room.

"Actually, I cooked the meal. I knew how Sirius' cooking was, so I made it instead," Remus answered smiling at her. "I couldn't risk letting him poison us or something," he added in an undertone.

"I heard that, Moony," Sirius growled walking into the kitchen.

Remus and Yvonne chuckled. "Stop ganging up on me, will you?!" barked Sirius. "God, you did this in school and now you're doing it again! Harry, help me out here."

"Why?" he replied laughing. "It's fun to see you pissed off."

Sirius turned red with rage. "Just serve the stupid meal," he grumbled. The other three laughed.

***

Later that evening, Yvonne and Remus were talking just like old times. Harry couldn't help but smile at them. Sirius was eating his food swiftly so as not to make eye contact with Yvonne, since he was sitting across from her.

"So where have you been all these years, Yvonne?" Remus asked cheerfully.

Yvonne stiffened and felt the color leave her face. "I...I've been around," she stuttered.

"Yeah, around Azkaban," Sirius interrupted with a laugh. Yvonne glared at him hatefully; an unnatural fire burned in her eyes. Remus looked confused. Harry was gaping at his godfather in disbelief.

"Sirius, how could you?" Yvonne whispered.

"Hey, Remus needs to know the truth. He's your only living best friend, besides Snape," he retorted, acting as though he hadn't done anything wrong.

"Tell me the truth?" repeated Lupin. "Yvy?"

"Come outside with me, Remus," she said softly. "You need to know something."

Still staring confusedly around at everyone, Remus followed after Yvonne, closing the door behind him. "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!!" shouted Harry, pounding his fist on the table. "Yvonne and Remus are on good terms again, and you suddenly ruin the moment!"

"Remus needs to know, Harry," said Sirius sternly.

"Why can't you tell him? You're the one that lied to him!"

"But Yvonne is the one who saved me. She needs to tell Remus and now is the best time."

Harry looked like he was fighting some internal struggle. He finally sighed deeply and replied, "I hope Lupin understands."

"He will," his godfather assured him.

Outside on the porch, Lupin was seated on the bench, while Yvonne paced back and forth trying to think of a good way to word what she was about to say. "Yvonne, what is this about?" he asked finally. "Just tell me."

"It's about the day that Sirius escaped Azkaban," she replied slouching her shoulders and sitting down beside him. "I trust he told you that he slipped through the bars 'cos he was skinny?"

"Yes, he did."

"Well, he lied. I went to Azkaban in my falcon form and bailed him out, but was caught afterward. Sirius and Harry saved me at the end of August this year." Remus was silent for a long time. Sirius had lied to him, Harry, and Dumbledore! He saw tears falling down her face.

"Yvonne, it's all right," he soothed wiping them away. "Stop crying." He then encircled her with his arms. She cried into his robes again.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed.

"Sorry? For what?" Lupin asked, pulling away to look into her face.

"For lying. For coming back."

"First of all, Sirius is the one who lied," he pointed out. "Second, I'm glad you came back. It's nice to see a familiar face."

Yvonne wiped her eyes. "Thanks, Remus," she said softly.

He smiled at her, bent down, and kissed her forehead. "Why don't we go back inside," he said. "We can both start ganging up on Sirius again." Yvonne chuckled and nodded.

When they came back into the kitchen, Sirius was looking expectant and Harry was sitting at the table drinking some tea. "So?" said Sirius suddenly. "Did you tell him?" he asked Yvonne.

"Oh yeah," she replied. "And he's not too pleased that you lied to him, Sirius."

Remus glared at Sirius accusingly. "You lied to me, Harry, and most importantly, Dumbledore, Padfoot! How could you?!" he snapped.

"I didn't want to expose Yvonne," he replied innocently, but Yvonne gave a hollow laugh that made Harry look at her oddly.

"No, you just didn't want to talk about me," she retorted.

Harry was grinning again, this time more widely. Sirius turned to him, expecting some support, but all his godson did was smirk and say, "Serves you right, Sirius." Sirius glared at him, but didn't say anything. This winter vacation was going to be a long one.