Nicole Stevens: Blood and Daggers

Chapter Eleven: Agreement

"So I've come to a decision."

"Really? And what have you decided?" Lupin asked as I sat up in the Hospital bed to greet him.

"It's difficult for me to explain. You see, I was worried about my safety, but then I became worried about everyone else's problems too. Like, for example, what Harry goes through every day. He worries, not only about himself, but for me as well. He's always looking out for me. Then, I thought that if I told Harry about the Order, then he'd get even more worried. So, in a way, it'd be worse for me to join, but..."

"But?"

"But, then I thought that I'd be doing him a favour if I joined, so I was having a bit of a dilemma. And I flipped a coin, and I'm going to be part of it. I want to be in the Order."

"Very well then. I shall tell Dumbledore and we will have the ceremony. Rest up today. One of your classmates will bring you your work." He stood to go, but I grabbed onto his arm.

"What happened to me last night?"

"The Coming," was all he would say. I let go of the man, and he strode out of he infirmary.

The Coming, the way I had heard him say it made me think of coming with a capital C.

Do you know what he meant?

No, I replied.

We should find out. Library time, I feel. Don't you agree?

I guess, but he must have some reason for not wanting us--me to know.

Possibly, but you're nosy anyway and need to find out the meaning of The Coming.

Yeah.

"How are you feeling today?" Madam Pomfrey's voice interrupted my conversation with my conscience.

"Much better, thanks."

"Are you hungry? You look it." I nodded, and she walked away, to reappear the next moment bearing a tray. She sat the tray on my lap and told me, "Eat up."

I tasted the porridge, and found that it was not as horrible as it could be. I sipped thoughtfully on my orange juice, deep in a reverie of thought.

If I had a daemon, what would it look like? A panther, maybe. Or, an eagle. What about an ermine?

Do not choose your daemon yet. It is not time. Wait for them to tell you something.

Well, who would tell me? They don't seem to care much about me, except...okay never mind. And just when did--

"Finished? Good, child. Here, I'll take that tray." Madam Pomfrey swept away my dishes and began to go about her normal daily work.

I stared placidly out the window, which had sunlight streaming through the panes, stretching across the bedspread. I sighed and relaxed my aching body. All of my muscles had been drawn tight from The Coming, or whatever had caused me to collapse last night. The tenseness slowly drained out of my body. I rotated my shoulders a couple of times, before deciding that I did not want to be kept in the Hospital wing all day.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. As soon as I had managed to rise, my legs buckled beneath me and I was forced to sit again. The nurse saw my effort and hurried to my side.

"Miss Stevens, do not overexert yourself. It is imperative that you remain in bed, otherwise, you will never overcome your...condition," Madam Pomfrey said.

"Well, if I knew what my condition was, then I'd be more inclined to take it seriously. But, so far, no one has told me what really happened last night, and I'm really not enjoying being treated like a child."

"Professor Lupin told you what it was," she argued.

"Yeah, but I don't know what The Coming is. Tell me. Please? Madam Pomfrey, if I don't know what's wrong with me, I am going to get up and walk out of this infirmary, go to the library and find out what the hell is going on here."

"Calm yourself, Miss Stevens. You will understand in time."

"Bite me," I muttered under my breath. The woman shot a disapproving look at me but chose not to comment.

I would find out. I would.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Hey, Nicky. How're you feeling? I heard about what happened, and--well, Harry wanted to come, honestly, but he--er--had something important to do. But I brought you your homework." I gave Ron a pitying look.

"Thanks Ron. You don't need to lie to me. I know Harry didn't want to come, and I understand perfectly. In fact, it's probably better if he doesn't see me for a while. And if he asks about me, tell him I'm fine. Just don't mention specifics, okay?"

"All right, but he really, really wanted to come."

"Uh-huh, I bet. Thanks for my homework Ron. Wait, before you leave, can you ask Hermione to come and see me? I need to ask her something."

"Sure."

"Bye."

I waited for an hour before Hermione came. It was lunch time, and I had just shooed away the nurse, saying that I wasn't hungry.

"Hello, Nicole. Ron said you needed to ask me something."

"Yeah, I do. Will you sit down for just a minute?" She nodded and sat in the chair next to my bed. I sat up and drew my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.

"Okay. Here's the deal. I asked Lupin earlier today what was wrong with me, and he said it was The Coming. Do you know what The Coming is?"

"The Coming, well, it is more of a theory than an actual thing, really. No one knows much about it. I only know of it because of my advanced History of Magic class."

"Could you explain it to me?" I asked in a hurried whisper.

"Possibly. You see, a few hundred years ago, there was a wizard whose name was Mortem Agdeburg. He was a renowned seer and prophet. He made a prediction that one of the greatest wizards in the world would rise again. Now, most people disagree with that, and say that Agdeburg said that a child would become one of the greatest wizards in the world. Yet another theory was that Agdeburg mentioned a child of great power who would take over the world. Again, there are disputes. Many people have forgotten Agdeburg's prophecy. So, that's about it. Oh, wait there was one more. It was that Agdeburg predicted that one wizard would save the world and bring the lightness back to it. These are all false versions of the truth, according to Professor Binns. There are even suggestions that Mortem Agdeburg never existed, so no one is certain if any of these things are true. I think much the same as Professor Binns; because there is little proof that Agdeburg actually existed."

"Right. Thanks Hermione. If you would just copy that down for me in your spare time, I'd be very pleased."

"Oh, I don't need to make another copy, I have three. We took notes on them in my class. I made some extras," she handed me a sheaf of parchment, "that has everything I just told you on it, as well as some extra."

"Okay. Great work, Hermione. Thank you so much."

She beamed proudly at me and nodded. Hermione stood up, leaving me alone in the room.

"The Coming," I murmured.

The Coming, my conscience echoed.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Madam Pomfrey, I really feel well today. Can I go to the library? Just this once? It's been almost a week, and I haven't left bed except to go to the bathroom, and I'm getting tired of it. Please let me go to the library. I'm pining."

"I don't think you should," she answered. "You still look pale and weak. Why risk it?"

"Because I am going mad being locked away in here away from human contact. The only people who've visited me are Hermione and Dumbledore. How am I supposed to live with that?"

"Well..."

"Poppy, let the poor girl get out of bed," I looked over at the door, seeing Dumbledore standing there. "I happen to agree that she should be allowed out to go to the library."

"Thank you!" I hopped out of bed, but immediately felt queasy. I steadied myself by gripping the bedside table. One step at a time, Nicole. One step...

"Albus, look at her, she can hardly stand."

"I can too stand," I defended, standing up to my full height. The ill feeling slowly drained out of me.

"Fine, you may go, but you must be back here by three o' clock."

"That's only half an hour. I want a full hour."

"All right, but be back by three thirty."

"I will," I promised. Dumbledore beckoned for me to come speak with him.

As I approached the old headmaster, he said, "Good luck. May your search prove useful."

I nodded confusedly and started out of the infirmary. Did Dumbledore know what I intended to do?

I walked quickly and determinedly to the library. As I entered through the magnificent doors, I was confronted with curious looks from students. Some younger ones looked like they wanted to come speak with me, but the older students shook their heads at them. What was wrong with them? Why were they staring at me? One such group could not control themselves, and began whispering furiously at their table. I only caught vague phrases.

"...heard about the daemon? No one knows what it is, but they say..."

"Yes...we know they said she knows...some said she's getting one herself..."

"..is it true, though? Could she be the missing link?"

"...maybe, but I don't think so...doesn't look the type...I still think that whole story they fed us from last year about her being kidnapped is bogus," the last comment came from a third year girl with bright gold hair.

I stalked proudly over to the table. The students' fearful looks would have been enough to quench my desire for their embarrassment, but I wanted to show them in person how true it was. I put my hands on their table and leaned down so they could hear me better.

"Hello, children, how are you today? I thought you might want to know the truth about me, as you seem to be unable of keeping your mouths closed." They mouthed wordlessly at this, and I continued, "Because I feel pitying today, I won't show you the extent of my power, but you're right about the dæmon. I do happen to be receiving a daemon familiar. Only, you don't know what a daemon really is. Oh well. I am not the missing link or the eighth wonder of the world, but I was kidnapped last year. I have proof, but you see, if I showed you some of the spells Voldemort--" the blond girl screamed when I said his name, "taught me, I would get in trouble, and I don't need more trouble. Now you keep your overlarge mouths closed, or I'll curse them shut. And, if you hear any rumours about me, pass my message on to whoever is telling the rumour. I am dead serious."

The third years nodded timidly and I leaned away from them. They all watched as I smirked at them and turned to leave.

As I left their table, I felt someone's gaze on me. Shooting an apprehensive glance over my shoulder, I spotted my spectator. It was Draco, and he was sitting in the farthest corner. I spun around and hurried to his table. He smiled slightly when he saw me.

"Hello," he acknowledged, pulling the chair beside him out for me to sit. I obliged.

"Hi."

"What were you doing with--" he waved an eloquent hand at the third years lazily, "--them?"

"Telling them off for spreading rumours. They need to learn it early, or I'll end up hurting each and every one of them."

"Yes, well, they're cretins. Have you finally been released from the ward?"

"No. I get an hour here."

"An hour...lots of time. So, word's gotten around: You've broken up with Potter."

"No, no, we haven't broken up, we're taking a break."

"Well, how about you spend your break with me?" Draco asked suggestively.

"No, I really can't."

"Yes, you really can."

"No, I really can't."

"Don't make me force you."

"Don't make me hit you," I threatened.

"You couldn't hit me hard enough."

"Wanna bet?" I asked.

You know you want to kiss him, my conscience told me.

No duh, dumdum. But I won't. I won't.

Yeah right. I'm right next to those nerves that control movement, you know. Even if you didn't want to, I could make you.

You're joking.

I'm not, said my conscience.

You wouldn't dare!

Wouldn't I, though?

Shush.

"You know I could change your mind," he whispered.

Yeah, you and everyone else here, I thought.

"Draco, I hate to be rude, but...no way. I'm not going to fall for this. I actually came here to do some work--"

"You'll do work, just not schoolwork," Draco said. "I won't take no for an answer."

"Hey, I've got an idea. I know you'll take HELL NO for an answer!" I stood and walked away, going straight for the autobiographical section. Draco followed me into the deserted aisle. He pulled me to him, and slipped his hand down onto my hips. His grip was so tight that I could not move.

"Hell no isn't a choice, either," he whispered.

"Too bad, it'll have to work."

But Draco refused this as well, and let me know it by bringing his mouth down on mine fiercely. At first, I was adamant that I would not under any circumstances let this turn into a French kiss, but my conscience followed up on its threat.

Without warning, I opened my mouth to Draco's and allowed his tongue to roam throughout it. He, of course, took full advantage of it. Next thing I knew, Draco had gently slid one of his hands barely up my shirt, and I felt his fingertips on the small of my back. Draco pressed himself against me and I tried not to let his forcefulness sweep me into a delirium. He had other plans; in fact, he wanted me to be swept away by the passion. Draco pulled back from me to inspect my face.

"No isn't the right answer," he hissed dangerously, "and well you know it."

And well you know it, I mimicked inside my head.

"Let me go, or I'll scream."

"That's what I am planning on."

"I'm serious."

"As am I."

"Let me go."

"Why should I?" he queried.

"Because I have a mind to knee you." That worked well. He stepped away from me and strode haughtily away, looking frustrated.

I turned around and began looking for an autobiography about Mortem Agdeburg.

"Aha!" I exclaimed quietly, seeing a book called The Coming that was by Mortem Agdeburg. I pulled the small, yet thick book from the shelf and flicked through it. It was perfect. I headed to the librarian's desk, where Madam Pince was sitting.

"Good day, Miss Stevens," she greeted. "And which book might we have today?"

"The Coming," I answered nonchalantly. "I was also wondering if there was a book about daemons. Do you know if there is?"

"Why, yes," she answered, looking startled, "it has just been checked out."

"By whom?" I asked politely.

"Mister Malfoy arrived about five minutes before you, and checked it out."

"Is there another copy?"

"No, I regret to say. That book was popular when I went to school here, and the other books were worn out. I apologize."

"It's not your fault," I said. "But could you tell me when it's checked back in?"

"Of course."

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Oh, Sal! Stop it!" I felt his soft kisses on my neck.

"Mm?" Salazar asked, his voice muffled. He leant back and looked into my face. Sal touched my cheek tenderly, bringing my mouth to his. Slytherin's breath was warm on my face as he exhaled. Sal set his hands on my hips tightly and lifted me in the air, bringing me above him. He swung me around and set me down gently on the bed. I laughed girlishly, as I had not done in many years. Salazar seemed to take heart from my giggles, and lay beside me on the downy bed. He wrapped his arm around my waist and drew me to him. I snuggled against his chest and listened to his soft breathing. Sal's breath stirred my hair, which was tied up into a bun.

"I think I am falling for you," Salazar whispered.

"What?" I asked contentedly, not listening to what he had said.

"I am in love with you."

"Are you joking?" I asked, laughing frivolously.

"No," he said quietly, "I am serious."

I pulled away from his chest to look him in the eye, but Salazar wouldn't make eye contact with me. Raising my hand slowly, I touched his face, causing him to look at me quickly. As our eyes met, mine azure, his pearl-silver. Sal gave me a confused look, asking a silent question. I lowered my gaze, unwilling to speak, but Salazar wouldn't be having any of that. He tilted my face up to his.

"Do you feel the same way?"

"I don't know," I confessed.

"Decide."

"I can't."

"Why can you not?"

"Because this isn't real," I answered softly.

"Then it is not real. But let us be happy. You would be contented with me, I am certain."

"But this isn't real," I argued. "It wasn't supposed to end this way."

"No, you are correct. This was not what I had expected either. Just marry me this Yule."

"Marry you? How--"

"Please accept."

"All right," I agreed.

"Thank you, you will not regret it."

He hugged me to him in a tight embrace and kissed my head. Sal smoothed my hair, and rested his chin on my head.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"You are being released," Madam Pomfrey said stiffly the next morning, on the first Saturday of September.

"Really? Great!" I hopped up from the bed and went to change into some of the clothes Hermione had brought me. Once I had changed, I packed away all my homework and books and made to leave.

"Bye Madam Pomfrey," I called to the nurse, "thanks for everything!"

She nodded and I ran out the door. I hurried downstairs into the Gryffindor hall. Speeding up as I reached the hall, I slid to a stop in front of the portrait. The Fat Lady was in the frame, watching me with mild interest.

"Good day," she welcomed.

"Hi. Lapis Lazuli," I told her the password.

"Have a good day," she waved me inside. I ran through the entrance and was confronted with stares from the students sitting inside the common room. Hermione was chatting carelessly with some younger students, no doubt informing them of one of her classes. I headed over to their table. Hermione heard me coming and looked up, attracting the attention of everyone else in the group.

"Hi, Hermione. How're you?"

"Moderately well," she answered, "and you?"

"Better, now that they've let me out of the Hospital wing. I can't believe they kept me that long! Where's Harry? I need to talk with him."

"Oh he's not here right--"

"He's in his dormitory!" a boy said proudly, beaming because of his knowledge. It was Colin Creevey.

"Oh, really?" I shot a look of pure venom at Hermione. She shrugged at me.

"He didn't want you to go look for him. He needs some 'alone' time."

"Humph! We'll see about that! I can't believe..." I muttered.

As I stomped up the staircase to the boys' dormitories, I receive odd looks from the people in the common room.

"What are you staring at?!" I cried accusingly. They immediately turned back to their work.

I continued up the staircase, treading heavily. When I arrived at the door that said 'Sixth Year: Boys' Dormitories', I pounded on the door. There was a burst of laughter from inside the room, and I heard someone walking to open the door. Seamus pulled the door open, and I glared at him.

"Harry's in there, right?"

"Erm, yes," Seamus squeaked, running past me. I saw Dean's face, full of laughter, look up at me. When he saw who it was, he hopped up from his place on his bed and ran out. Ron wasn't in the dormitory, nor was Neville, so I knew it was just Harry and me. I tiptoed in quietly and then, for a loud sound to startle him, slammed the door behind me.

"Who is it?" Harry asked, and I could tell from his voice that he had been laughing.

"It's me," I answered in a sugary-sweet voice. Harry's eyes widened and he stared at me like I was a ghost.

"N-Nicole! What are you--?"

"What, can't I see you? I mean, after all--"

"But, how did you find me?" he asked incredulously.

"Power of deduction," I spat.

"Erm, now's not the best time," he said worriedly.

"And why not?"

"Because."

"Oh. Let me guess: you are too busy laughing to spend a little free time with me," I scowled.

"No. No, of course not, but...It's nothing." He blushed as I penetrated him with my cold and furious glare.

"You're lying to me," I informed him.

"I am not!"

"You are," I argued. "And I'm betting it has something to do with another girl, as I doubt much could make boys laugh like that without a big secret." I was referring to the loud laughter I'd heard as I'd knocked.

"No, no," he blushed again, his voice rising in pitch, "we were laughing at...Ginny's fight with Ron."

"So, even though I know that's not the truth, I do know that Ginny has to be involved with it," I was thinking of how I often mentioned something that related to the truth when I was lying.

"She d-doesn't," he stammered.

"Oh, but she does."

"If I tell you, you'll kill me."

"Then tell me, and I'll kill you quickly, but if you don't tell me, I'll kill you slowly."

"But--"

"No 'buts', the truth is all I want," I told him.

"I--slepwitgin."

"Excuse me?"

"I--I slept with...Ginny."

"You what?!" I screamed.

"I. Had. Sex. With. Ginny," Harry said slowly. "Do you understand now?"

"Oh my god," I stuttered, "ohmygod. Not true, no. Can't be. How could it be? Not true. No. No. NO!!!!"

"I'm sorry, but I..."

"You have no excuse for that!!!" I yelled. "Does Ron know?"

"No. Oh god, don't tell him. I'll do anything. Just don't tell Ron. He'll kill me. He will. I'm serious."

"I am going to tell him," I said stonily, turning and heading out the door. Harry grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back, turning me around to face him. He gave me a hard kiss.

"Stop!" I pulled away from him. "I know where your mouth has been! Don't think you can stop me telling Ron, because nothing you say will change my mind! That's illegal, Harry. Just FYI, but she's only FIFTEEN!!! It's ill-e-gal!"

Harry's eyes widened.

"You wouldn't tell him."

"I am." I turn and ran down the stairs. Small tears were dripping down my face, and all I wanted to do was tell Ron what had happened and find someone to cuddle with.

"Hermione where's Ron?" I asked her, brushing away my tears.

"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"Not too much," I lied, "but I need to talk with Ron."

"He's somewhere around here. He's probably in the library; at least, that's where he said he was going."

"Okay," I nodded and ran out of the common room.

I was running the whole way, so within five minutes, I was skidding to a halt in the library. I immediately spotted Ron's bright shock of Weasley hair. He was sitting at a table, running his hand through his hair. I darted over to him.

"Nicky, what's wrong?" he asked confusedly once I'd stopped in front of his table.

"You're not going to like it, but," I lowered my voice, "I just found out that--Harry and Ginny, they had sex."

Ron's look was of complete shock.

"They didn't have sex together, did they?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I'm going to kill them," he declared in the same tone that I'd had told Harry I was going to tell Ron.

"Please do."

Ron didn't say anything more; he just stood and walked out of the library as if he were in a daze. I followed in his tracks, but once I was out in the hall, I turned and made my way down into the entrance hall. I saw some Slytherins emerging from the Potions passageway, and I waited for them to pass before hurrying into the stone corridor. I saw a platinum-haired boy at the end of the hall, and jogged up to him. Draco surveyed me coldly.

"What do you want?" he asked suspiciously.

"Right now I want nothing more than to kill Harry, but this will have to suffice for the present moment. Look Draco, invite me in and we'll talk. You'll enjoy what I have to say."

"Fine. Lamia," he said to the bare wall. It slid back, and he led me inside. No one looked twice at me. Draco took me down a stone corridor, and turned into a room on the left. I walked in, and saw the room from my previous dreams.

"Sit," Draco instructed me, pointing at one of the chairs before the fireplace.

"Okay," I sat in one chair, with Draco across from me.

"Now tell me why you're here."

"I'd be delighted. Well...you see, I got out of the infirmary today, and I went into the common room. I asked Hermione where Harry was, and she said she didn't know. Then one of the kids said he was in his dorm. I figured out that Harry had told Hermione not to tell me. So, I ran up there and everyone but Harry left. I found out that while I was in the Hospital wing, he had slept with Ginny Weasley." Draco chuckled softly at that.

"Go on, I think I see where this is going."

"Okay, so then I went to the library and told Ron that Ginny and Harry had had sex. He was so mad, he went somewhere saying he was going to kill them both."

"I see."

"I can't believe he'd do that to me," I whispered, silent tears beginning to fall.

"Come here," Draco said pityingly. I let him pull me from my chair, onto his lap. Draco wrapped his arms around me, and I snuggled against him, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"Can I stay here?" I asked timidly. "I don't want to go back to the Gryffindors."

"Of course you can stay," he answered.

"I'm sorry for turning you down before."

"It's all right."

"Thanks," I said. I laid my head on Draco's shoulder, trying to ease my sadness at losing Harry. Draco smoothed my hair, soothing me.

"I won't do that to you," he promised, "Not ever."

He hugged me tighter, and we didn't move from that position for a long time.