Watching

Watching

Chapter 18

Draco and I sat in our room alone. Harry had been here for three days now, and no one's seen him since he and Hermione arrived.

I sat on our bed, reading a Defense book written by one of the greatest Dark Arts fighters of his time, Merlin, and Draco sat at his desk, fussing over some notes.

"Damnit," he sighed in frustration. "Athena," he asked looking up at me. I looked up and met his eyes. "Can you help me?" he asked.

"What do you need help with, love?" I asked.

"The potion notes your father took for this cure he's working on, I can't figure out where he went wrong. There's a mistake he put in here purposefully for me to find, and I can't find it."

"If he wanted you to find it, Draco, you should find it. You know my father would not have instructed you to do this if he thought you couldn't do it. And besides, maybe it's not a purposeful mistake. Maybe he wants you to help him figure the cure out."

"You're better at this than I am. Not to mention, you survived the curse."

"I survived because I chose to. He's not really making a cure, Draco, you do know that, right? He's making a potion that forces the person to make a choice. This 'cure' could also be what kills, depending on what the person chooses. Personally, I think we should all leave well enough alone and let her make her own choice. I'm sure she'll come back."

"Where is he?" Harry demanded walking into our room. "Snape," he clarified. "Where is he?"

"Probably in his study," Draco answered. "He's been in there for a week straight trying to find a way to cure Hermione."

"You're kidding," Harry said amazed. "He's trying--trying to cure Hermione?"

"Yes," I answered. "He couldn't find the cure for me, and since you are his son, he wants you to be happy. If happiness means Hermione, he'll give you Hermione."

"Does he know?"

"About your engagement?" I asked. He nodded. "No," I answered. "I thought you should be the one to tell him."

"Thank you."

"Do you want me to take you to him?" I asked.

"Yes, please."

I placed my book on the bed next to me and stood to lead the way. Draco put down his potion notes and followed us out of the room.

Together, Draco and I led Harry to the Snape wing of the manor. (Yes, we have our own wing here. Saves us from having a home we rarely visit yet have to pay for anyway.)

I knocked on the door to my father's study and opened the door. "Dad?" I asked walking in slowly. "You in here?"

"Are you in here," he corrected stepping out from a dark corner with a book in his hand. "What do you want?"

"Harry has some questions for you," I said boldly walking into the room.

"I take it you have informed him of his heritage."

"Couple days ago," I replied. "Figured I should tell him before someone else slipped and he heard it from someone outside of the family. All things considered, everyone has been talking about it."

"Yes they have. Well," he sighed. "Sit down, I'll explain as much as I can."