Nicole Stevens: Blood and Daggers

Chapter Seventeen: Sweet Sixteen!

"So here's a Butterbeer for you," Madam Rosmerta said, sliding a Butterbeer to Draco, "and one for the birthday girl." She slid the second one across the table at me.

"So what did you do to the drinks?" I asked Draco curiously, taking a small sip of the frothy Butterbeer.

"Hm..." he gave me a secretive glance and smiled, "you'll just have to drink up and find out."

I shook my head slightly. "If this is poisoned, I'm going to kill someone."

"It's not," Draco said grinning.

"So what did you do to it?" I asked.

"Not much. I can tell you that there's slightly more alcohol in these," he tapped hi glass, "than in the ones regularly served here, though."

"And that's all?"

"Mostly," Draco gave me the same smile as before. I shrugged.

"So long as it's not poisoned, I don't care."

I continued drinking the 'slightly more' alcoholic Butterbeer. I wondered how much more there was.

"C'mon, let's dance," Draco suggested, standing up from the table.

"Sure," I let him pull me out onto the floor. Draco's hands slid down to my waist, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I rested my head on his shoulder as the song began.

And I'd give up forever to touch you,

'Cause I know that you feel me somehow.

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

And I don't want to go home right now.

And all I can't taste is this moment,

And all I can breathe is your life.

'Cause sooner or later it's over,

I just don't want to miss you tonight.

And I don't want the world to see me,

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken,

I just want you to know who I am.

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming

Or the moment of truth in your lies.

When everything feels like the movies,

Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive.

And I don't want the world to see me,

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken,

I just want you to know who I am.

I don't want the world to see me,

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand.

When everything's made to be broken,

I just want you to know who I am.

I just want you to know who I am,

I just want you to know who I am,

I just want you to know who I am,

I just want you to know who I am.

Draco kissed my cheek lightly as the song ended. He led me slowly back to our table.

When we sat down, there were whoops from some of the boys, egging Draco on to kiss me. He didn't need much coaxing. Draco kissed me lightly on the lips, before pulling me onto his lap and giving me a forceful kiss. I relaxed against his chest as he draped his arms loosely around me. Draco rested his cheek on my head as we sat.

I slowly heard a thumping that I finally realised was Draco's heart. It was going about three times the normal rate.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"Nothing."

"Something has to be wrong."

"No. Everything's just perfect, is all," Draco whispered.

"I guess you're right." Draco nodded and drew his arms tighter around me. He ran his fingers along my upper arm, occasionally whispering something sweet in my ear.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too."

"If I asked you to marry me, what would your answer be?" he asked.

I shrugged slightly; "I'd probably say yes. But I don't see you asking me to marry you, so I don't figure it's something I need to worry about."

"Hmn...I suppose you're right. But it was a hypothetical question. Do you want to marry me?"

"Is that a formal question?"

"I'm not asking you to marry me. I'm asking if you want to."

"I imagine I do," I answered. "I mean, why wouldn't I want to marry you? You're nice, loving, and tender--occasionally. You're sexy, gorgeous, and forceful. Except for the fact that your father is a complete ass, I'd say I definitely want to marry you. And what about you?"

"I want to marry you."

"Give me five reasons why that do not relate in any way to my looks."

"You're sweet. You love me. You understand me. You know me, inside and out. And...I love you."

"Oh, look!" I exclaimed suddenly, pointing out the window of the Three Broomsticks. There was an odd show of lights going on outside. It seemed like green and red sparks were flying everywhere through the darkening sky.

"Come on, let's go see!" I suggested, taking Draco's hand and pulling him up. We headed through the throng of chattering people, with me dragging Draco behind me.

He became separated from me as I hurried out of the pub. I jumped up, trying to see over the sea of heads. It was no use, though. He had disappeared.

He'll find me outside, I thought desperately as I continued making my way through the crowd. I mean, he's not stupid. Where else would I go but outside? Surely Draco'll find me. He has to. And if he doesn't--no, I won't think about that. He will find me. I know it.

There was raucous singing from the streets; a couple of warlocks had gotten drunk on ale. Another burst of noise came from a side street. But this time, it was more forceful. It sounded as if something had been blown up. I saw a building near me on fire. Thinking like a heroine (and a moron, I realised later) I headed over to the burning building to see if someone needed help.

As I came around the side of a building and into an alley, an elegant hand was clapped firmly over my mouth. I was dragged kicking and screaming into the shadowy alley. The person pulled me against his body, pressing himself into the wall. There was an overhang above us with ivy hanging down from it. The ivy concealed my captor and me.

"Shush, girl," the man had a hoarse but soothing voice. "Don't make me hurt you." That changed the soothing part.

"You-bassonofa-" I began trying to call him all of the filthy words I had ever learned.

He brought the toe of his boot crashing against the backs of my knees. I gasped in pain as my knees gave out and I sunk into a kneeling position.

"Now shut up," he ordered. "You work for them?"

"For who?" I wheezed.

"For them: the Death Eaters."

"No, no," I argued, "I don't. I hate them."

"You're lying," he said.

"I'm not. You can ask anyone. I'm friends with--"

"I don't care if you're best friend is Voldemort himself. Come on." As if he left me any choice. The man seized me by my wrist and upper arm and began hauling me not so gently away from the town. He dragged me past houses and I saw the smoke from the burning building even from such a great distance. I tripped and stumbled on a large rock about halfway down a long alleyway.

"Oh, god. Stop, please. I need to rest. I can't go for much longer," I panted.

"All right," he answered shortly.

"Thank you." I made myself crawl over to a back porch, where I sat and leaned against the wall.

"Who are you?" the man asked me after a time.

"Nicole," I rasped, not opening my weary eyes.

"Do you have no last name?" he queried. I heard the faint amusement in his voice.

"Nicole...Stevens. Nicky, to those who know me."

"You are--no, no, you're lying," I noticed the slight panic in his rich voice.

"I'm not. I'd call someone to verify it, but I am currently without a mean to contact anyone."

"You're lying," he repeated. "Oh gods, you must be lying."

"Look, person, I am who I say I am and no more about it," I growled, angry that he was unbelieving.

"But...no, you're exactly as he described."

I opened my eyes and saw my captor for the first time. His eyes were amber, and his face was pale, but I could tell he could be handsome if he ever had a few whole meals. His hair was long, reaching to his jaw. It was as black as a raven feather. He was not clean-shaven, and blue-black stubble showed on his chin.

"So who are you?" I asked him, thinking vaguely that I should remember him.

"I'm--Sirius. Sirius Black."

"Ha!" I scoffed. "As if! Harry's godfather? Nope, no way, no how."

"Now you're the one not believing me," he said. "And this from the girl who said 'I am who I say I am and no more about it?'"

"If you were really Sirius Black, I would know. I mean, Black is handsome and courteous and sophisticated."

It was his turn to laugh. He let out a small chuckle. "Well then. I never would have thought that my reputation would galvanize my attributes to the point of me supposedly being more handsome than I actually am. Well, miss, I regret to inform you that I am the one and only Sirius Black," he let a small grin show on his haggard face

"And I'm going to believe you because why?" I asked sarcastically. "I mean, this coming from a man who has just kidnapped me, I think it is safe to say that the last thing on the earth that I need to do right now is to believe you."

"I would ask Albus to tell you, but he's not here. So you claim to know everything about me, or Sirius; so, Miss Stevens, ask me three questions that only the true Sirius Black would know."

I sighed and slumped against the wall. Then my dream came to me and I remembered some of the things about the Order.

"Who is Ari Concadia?" I asked slyly.

He looked startled. "She's a witch. Ari's a friend of mine who works on the Order of the Phoenix. She's equal to me."

"Lucky guess," I muttered sourly. "All right, then. What is the Sword of Light?"

"It is a sword that cam destroy absolutely anything. It could demolish Voldemort in a mere slice. Albus Dumbledore wields it currently."

"Argh," I growled. "Right. Well, then. I can ask you this and if you're really who you say you are, then you'll know the answer. Who killed James and Lily Potter?"

Sirius' face became grimmer. "Peter Pettigrew," he grimaced. "He framed me."

I sat in utter bewilderment. "Then you're him. I mean, you're you!"

He grinned, saying, "Yes, I'm me. Can you walk now? It's only about fifteen minutes more."

"Yeah. Yeah I think I can." Sirius stood and offered me an exquisite hand. Well, t would have been exquisite, were it not for the dirt and grime mucking his long fingers gratefully. He pulled me lightly to my feet, as if I weighed nothing at all.

I stumbled slightly as I trudged up the well-worn path. Sirius allowed me to swing my arm over his shoulders so he could support me.

"So what're you doing here?" I asked as we walked lopsidedly towards the mountain.

"I live here," was his surprising reply. Seeing my expression, which was undoubtedly startled, he explained, "I'm a convict, remember? Where else but a mountain hideout would I hide?"

"Oh, I understand. I was just--"

"Confused?"

"A little," I answered. "So why are you taking me with you? Why not allow me to return to school?"

"First of all, when I caught you, I thought you were someone else. When I realised who you were, I had already taken you too far. Had I let you make your way back to Hogwarts, you would have gotten lost in the darkness." He raised a finger to point at the sky, which was now the darkest colour blue and shot through with blood red.

"So I'm going with you where?" I questioned.

"To my cave. You'll stay the night and then I'll come with you a little ways into the village so you can go back to school."

"Oh. Poor Draco, I'll bet he'll be worried sick," I murmured, longing for Draco's peppermint smell and comforting warmth.

"Draco?" Sirius asked sharply. "Draco Malfoy?"

"Yeah," I answered, blushing slightly. "He's my--uh--boyfriend."

"For how long?" Sirius asked, his eyes glinting slightly.

"Not very," I said, "a month, I think." He nodded, and we continued trekking up the mountain's gradual slope.

As the darkness brushed the land in a shadow, I heard a wolf's cry. Searching the gloominess around me, I was thankful to find that there were no eyes peering back at me from the bushes. I raised my eyes to the sky and saw the moon's bright sphere in the sky, hanging there as if by strings.

"It's a full moon," commented Sirius.

"Oh, yes, I had noticed."

"Wonder how Moony's holding up," Sirius muttered.

"Eh?"

"Never mind."

It soon became so dark that the blackness seemed impenetrable. Sirius led me to a cave, where there was a large hulk settled in the corner, dozing.

"What is that?"

"Hippogriff," he answered in a whisper.

"It belongs to you?" I asked.

"In a way. Sit and I'll make a fire. I'm sorry, I don't have any food."

"No, no, it's fine..."

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"So how'd you get away from the Death Eaters? I thought you were at Malfoy manor."

"I was," he answered. "The explosions you heard were made by them. The Death Eaters were searching for Harry," his face grew worried. "And they were looking for Draco Malfoy and you."

"Hmn, no surprise," I shrugged it off. "I've kind of gotten used to it by now. Ooh, ouch!" I withdrew my hand from the fire. A spark had suddenly jumped out and burnt my finger.

"Let me see," Sirius took my hand and inspected my fingers. He was gentle as he dripped some cold water onto my fingertips.

"Thanks. So what'll I do tomorrow morning?" I wondered aloud.

"I advise you to hurry back to school. I don't know if they're still out there, but if they are, you'd best stay low."

I nodded. "S'pose so." A large yawn escaped me, making Sirius smile.

"I think it's past your bedtime," he chuckled. I had an urge to tell him to shut up, but I refrained.

"I don't have a bedtime, but I am tired. So I'm going to sleep now." I flung my cloak out over the stone floor and lie down.

Soon Sirius put out the fire and lay on the other side of the cave. I heard his heavy breathing slow and soften as he drifted into sleep. It was almost the same instant that I did the same.

If only I had waited a moment more. I did not see the little rat's silhouette against the moonlight. I did not see it flick its tail twice and scurry out of the cave, down the mountain.

Then again, I also was unseeing of the two large cat eyes peering at me from the entrance of the cavern.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

"Nicole, will you be mine?"

"Draco--" but he pressed a gentle finger to my lips.

"It's yes or no."

"Well, well--"

"Yes or no."

"Yes," I whispered. He smiled lovingly and wrapped his arms around my waist. I kissed him softly on the lips and felt his warm body against mine.

And I did feel someone close to me. It was someone whom I least expected.

As I opened my eyes and stared up into the face of the man standing above me, three words came to mind: rat, Peter Pettigrew.

He smiled wickedly and knelt beside me. Pettigrew pressed the heel of his hand into the hollow of my throat, raising a finger to his lips and motioning for me to be quiet. I paused undecided for a moment. And even before realising that I had come to a decision, I swung my leg up and around, knocking him in the back so that Pettigrew stumbled backwards and fell to the ground with a clatter. His wand rolled across the stone and I made a grab for it. The man was quicker than I had originally presumed, however. His hand darted forward and wrapped around my tender ankle. As Peter felt the swelling in my ankle from yesterday's rough trip, he increased the pressure of his grip.

"Sirius!" I cried, clutching desperately at the wand, which was only a few feet away. There was a sleepy growl from the other corner of the cave and I pounded angrily on the stone. Pettigrew clamped a hand over my mouth. The balding man's fingers smelled like dirt. No wonder; they were covered in soil.

I turned to find Sirius, only spotting a large--very large--dog lying where Sirius had been last night. The dog was shaggy-coated and black.

"Sirius!" I yelled again, kicking madly at my assailant, who looked infuriatingly calm and collected.

"It's no use," Peter drawled. "He's not here. There is nothing and no one here but me and you."

"You--" I said a number of swearwords which all had very descriptive details to match them. "So there!" I ended my rant lamely.

He only laughed a high, maniacal laugh. "You really don't understand--" I heard the large dog stirring, but didn't dare to look, for fear Pettigrew would see, too, "--I know you probably don't know who I am." The dog was sitting languidly up. "Because everyone thinks I'm dead." The dog had seen Pettigrew and me. "And I am glad for that." The dog was tiptoeing around us and creeping behind Peter. "So--"

"Don't try it, Peter," Sirius' voice said from behind me.

He let my ankle drop. I had a slight limp as I crawled to the other wall of the cave.

A cold wind blew through the mouth of the cavern as Sirius stood above Peter, a large dagger in his hand. He held it at the whimpering man's throat, but Sirius was looking at me.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked me.

I shook my head, "Not severely."

"All right. Pettigrew--" Sirius began.

"Sirius, Sirius, oh please, don't hurt me. Don't kill me. I wasn't doing anything. I was just," his eyes darted around the cavern, terror-filled, "I was just--"

"Come on, rat," Sirius said sharply, yanking the grovelling man to his feet. "Where are the others?"

"Wh-what others?" he stuttered.

"The other Death Eaters, Peter." I shivered at Sirius' cold voice.

"Them? Why, I'd never--you can't believe--"

"Ah, but I can," Sirius shot back. "You're coming to Hogwarts."

The man was shaking his head and sobbing hysterically. It was childish for a grown man to bawl as Pettigrew did then.

Sirius shook his head disgustedly and pulled the man outside. I rose to follow, just as I heard a silky voice from outside.

"Darling Sirius," the voice purred.

"Go away. I'm busy."

"But, sweetheart," the woman trilled her 'r's. "You know you want me."

"No, I don't. Nirvana--"

"Hisst," I heard from outside. "Sssshe sssshould take him asss he issss."

"Shush," the woman said.

"Nicole, Nicole," I heard Sirius say under his breath from outside. I rose to my feet and crept out. Sirius was standing tall, clutching Peter's upper arm tightly. The woman in front of him was beautiful--breathtakingly so. Her hair was silky and honey-coloured. Nirvana's pale skin was marred by neither time nor adolescence. She looked to be in her late-twenties.

"Beautiful puppy," she hissed as I snuck behind Sirius. "Too pretty to be a man, surely."

"Nirvana," he whispered warningly, "let me pass."

"Girrrrrl," the hissing voice said from somewhere near my feet.

Nirvana spotted me instantly. She motioned for me to come closer. I reluctantly stepped out of the shadows and into her view.

"To whom do I speak?" Nirvana asked politely, bending to pick up a golden snake from the ground.

"You speak to Lyra Intagua," I lied.

"Is that so?" she questioned.

"Yes," Sirius answered. "It is so."

"It's not!" Peter squeaked. "It's Nicole Stevens."

"Lair!" Nirvana spat as her beautiful form changed and her head became like a bird's, and she was expelling fire with every breath.

I flung my arms up to protect my face, as she breathed fire at me. Sirius grabbed my arm and we began hurtling down the mountain slope towards the village.

"Run faster!" he yelled as I paused to look behind us. Peter Pettigrew wasn't in sight, but I saw a rat dart under a rock a few feet behind us. Nirvana couldn't be seen, but I had the suspicion that she was near. I heeded Sirius and sped up.

And then I saw her. Nirvana was standing behind a tree. Sirius didn't notice her, and kept his pace.

I calculated swiftly. She was not hiding behind the tree. She was waiting for Sirius to get to her so she could capture him. Then...

"Watch out!" I cried, but Sirius couldn't hear me. I urged my legs to go faster so I might overtake him. I was level with Sirius, and the tree was steps away. I threw myself into the woman as she stepped out to catch him. Nirvana was thrown off balance as I slammed into her, and we tumbled onto the ground and rolled down the rocky hillside.

She was scratching me with her sharp nails as hard as she could. I kicked back and we became engulfed in one large cloud of dust, which thickened as we fell. Nirvana aimed her claw-like fingernails at my eyes, trying to disable me. I punched her hard in the stomach and yanked her hair. It was painful for me, not only because of the woman's incredibly long nails, but also because of the sharp rocks that were continually jabbing me in the back.

"Ack!" I cried as a black bird soared down and joined the brawl. It was slashing at me, as well as Nirvana.

"Stop!" she exclaimed as the bird dug its talons into her arm. It ignored her, though.

Soon, the ground became level and I pulled myself away from the vicious, fire-spitting woman. I stood weakly, leaning on the tree for support. One of my arms was broken, and my already-damaged ankle had swollen even more. Nirvana was heaving herself to her feet as well.

"You," she gasped. "You lying, little scum."

"Bit--" I began to call her a rude name, but stopped as I heard an icy cool voice say from somewhere near me,

"Tut, tut, Nirvana. Go now. You have served your purpose." I recognised that voice, I knew it. But whose was it?

"Somnus," the answer came as I thought. "Somnus, what are you doing here?"

"Just here with my uncle," Draco's cousin answered. "I suggest you hurry out of here. Lucius shall be coming along any time now." He was standing in front of me in a billowing black robe. His face was almost like Draco's, and it made me yearn more than ever for my boyfriend.

"I can't," I shook my head sadly. "I think I sprained my ankle."

"Do a transportation spell," he suggested.

"Don't have the ring," I said.

"Use mine," he tossed me a silver band. "Have Draco return it to me."

"Thanks," I said.

"*Convey this crowd,

On wind and cloud,

To the castle of the king,

By the power of this ring.*

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" I cast the spell.

The mist consumed me and I heard Somnus whisper, I'll be seeing you.

Soon I found myself standing before the gate leading onto the school grounds. I pushed them open and headed in, hoping that no other evil had transpired during my absence.

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A/N: Who is Nirvana, you may ask. I shall explain quickly.
Nirvana is a western-Veela. She is a Death Eater. The black bird was...well, I'll tell you later. Hehehe...

Thanks to the Mods, as always. They are soooooo good at their job. Hmph. The only things I'm good at is nitpicking and writing. (And there are still disagreements about whether I can do either of those, as well.)

Thanks to Trillian Black, my beta.

Thankies to ski-man, my reviewer, who, though disagreeing with me about Draco, is still nice to have.

Thanks to Kara Kedavra, for all your comments.

To Moonflower/Jessie Evans, thanks!!!!!

Hemoine123, keep R&R-ing, please!

Everybody else, thank you!