Watching

He backhanded me and I flew against the wall. I screamed as I felt something break and was overcome by a searing pain in my chest.

He strode over to me and lifted me by the collar of my shirt, then he hit me again.

"You do not talk to him that way," my father yelled in my ear. "Such behavior could get you killed, Athena. Do you understand me?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't answer. He let go of me and I crumpled onto the floor and lost consciousness.

~

The hand hit me with so much force, I flew into the walls. Over and over the little woman did this. She was supposed to be here for my safety, to watch over me; not hit me, abuse me.

I hate her, I hate all of her. From her cold brown eyes to her name--Audra, and her small form and powerful body. This would be the last time I would allow myself to be subject to such.

I looked around as she neared me. My father's wand lay on the table next to me. I grabbed it as she lifted me up by my hair.

She threw me again and I crashed into a bookshelf, causing all kinds of pickled animal parts to shatter and fall, glass sparkling around me, cutting me.

I stood defiantly as she came at me again. I wanted this bitch dead. I raised the wand and whispered the two words of the Killing Curse.

I laughed as sickly green light erupted from the tip of my father's wand and engulfed my "nurse". So long, Audra. You can't hurt me anymore.

~

"--Thena? Athena, please, love, wake up. Please, Merlin, wake the fuck up!"

Pain. Pain of memories, pain in my chest. What the hell was wrong with me? Why am I feeling so much pain?

"Athena, look at me...."

I opened my eyes and saw nothing but blur. There was a black mass in front of me, kneeling down almost touching my shoulder. It took me a moment to realize that it was Draco, and he had tears in his eyes.

I screamed in the pain as he finally did touch me. He quickly removed his hand and left for a Healer. Healers were probably one of the best things about Malfoy manor. Healers, house elves, and cooks were about the only good things, besides the extensive library.

The door opened again and the Healer swore. She rushed to my side and began performing pain relieving and mending spells. The pain spells made it so I didn't feel my broken bones pop back into place and knit themselves back together. Hey, at least none of them had to be re-grown.

The Healer left us and Draco helped me stand. I was unsteady on my feet, ready to fall if he let go. I could tell something was wrong. His eyes were shadowed and he seemed more somber than usual. His tears threatened to spill over as I kissed his forehead.

"What's wrong," I whispered as I ran my hand through his baby-fine blonde hair. His tears finally fell.

"Why did you say those things tonight? To the Dark Lord?"

"Because they're true. Have you ever seen him, Draco? Have you ever looked into his eyes? There is so much power, so much knowledge in those gleaming red eyes."

I've said something. I haven't reassured him of anything; he looks even more upset. What am I saying that is so wrong? What am I doing that is so painful for him? "Draco, what is it? What did I say?" How do I fix it?

"It's not what your saying, it's how you're saying it. It's the passion you're talking about Him with. Guess I'm just a little jealous."

"Don't be, love," I insisted cupping his face in my hands. "I love you, no one else. You have my heart, all of my heart. I love you."

I kissed him, telling him just how much I loved him. I told him more than I ever could with words. They're right you know, when they say actions speak louder than words. They really do.

"When do we have to return to Hogwarts," he asked breathlessly.

"Never," I answered truthfully.

The door opened and my father was framed in the doorway. "We go back to Hogwarts Sunday night. Athena, Narcissa has a few clothes, if you want them."

I made a face. The woman wears nothing but ball gowns. Everyday. I don't even wear ball gowns to balls.

My father chuckled and looked from me to Draco and then back to me. "Mr. Malfoy, if you are to come any closer to my daughter, you had better be her husband."

"Are you giving me permission?" Draco asked.

He smiled. "Is there any reason for me to?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Yes, you have my permission, Draco," he answered.

I smiled and ran to my father, hugging him. "Thank you, Father," I whispered.

My father left us and I turned to Draco and kissed him--again.

He held my hand and led me out of the room. We passed the library where our fathers were discussing something; they looked up at us as we passed, then followed. I don't think Draco noticed.

He opened the door to his room and pulled me in. I looked around his room. I haven't been in here since we were both toddlers. Now, a four-poster bed (much like those at Hogwarts) with black mosquito net hangings and black bedding. The carpet color had changed as well. Where it had been a light blue, it was now dark green, as were the drapes at the windows. There was now a desk made of cherry and a matching chair. Draco was currently rummaging through one of the drawers.

He pulled out a mahogany box and placed it on the desk's polished surface.

"Draco?" his father asked.

"Yes, Father?" Draco asked looking at the box.

"Are you sure about this, son?"

Draco looked at his father almost defiantly. "Yes."

"You know that is forever, don't you?"

"Yes, Father," he answered almost irritated.

"No divorce, no separation, no looking. Are you sure you're ready for that kind of commitment?"

"Were you?"

"No," Lucius answered simply.

"Well, I am. I know it. Athena, are you?"

I looked uncertainly to my father. Forever and no possibility for anyone else; that was what I wanted, but was I ready for it? No, not really. And if I wanted to change my mind, I could just follow in my mother's footsteps. I love Draco, I do want forever. If this is how I get it, then so be it.

I looked back to him. "Yes," I answered.

He reached out a hand to me and I grasped it; our fathers left.

"You know what this is?" he asked.

I ran a pale finger along the carvings. In the center were two rings; above that, the Malfoy crest, and below, at the bottom, a single rose, barely coming into bloom.

It was a beautiful box; I had only seen one like it. My father's had the Black crest on the lid. Inside would be two rings and a scroll. Two rings of our own desire made of magic when the box was opened.

"A Marriage Box," I answered.

I opened the box and saw our rings. For the first time, I saw my mother's ring. It was the ring I had always wanted. The band was white gold, the centerpiece was a sapphire so blue it was almost black and had small diamonds around the edges. It was the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. All Draco had wanted was a simple gold band. I smiled as I took it out of the box. He was really a simple creature.

He placed my ring on the appropriate hand and finger and recited the words written on the scroll. He handed me the scroll. I opened it and read the six words written in red ink, then I placed the ring on Draco's hand and said, "With this ring, I thee wed."

We kissed, sealing the spell and our marriage. What would happen now?