Nicole Stevens: Dragons and Deceit

Chapter Fourteen

I arrived at the cabin and was immediately bombarded with questions, mostly from Umbridge. She was livid.

"You ran off in to the forest on your own! I will have to report this to the school governors, and to the Headmaster! What might have happened in my absence could have been terrible!"

I sank slowly into a chair. She continued yelling at me. "This type of behaviour is exactly why I came here in the first place! You are a delinquent and you must be punished for this act of blatant disregard for the rules!"

Draco gazed dully at her. He raised his hand in a tired manner. Umbridge glared at him, "Yes, Malfoy?"

"She didn't go off because she wanted to. She was forced to go."

"Oh? And by whom?"

His gaze shifted to me momentarily. "There are vampires in the forest. They wanted her blood. Luckily, she got away. Didn't she tell you?"

I frowned at the tabletop. Umbridge glared at me. "Is this true?"

"Mostly."

"Very well then. I will document this in my report. Now, it is time to return to the castle. Miss Stevens, come with me."

I stood and followed her out the door. Draco pushed his chair back from the table and trailed after me. Umbridge led us back to the castle, where she shooed Draco away. He turned to me, taking my hand in a friendly gesture. "Goodnight," he said to me. I nodded, and he left to the Slytherin dungeons. I trailed after Umbridge as she walked with me up to the Gryffindor common room. She waited for me to go inside before leaving.

Once inside, I threw Draco's cloak onto the chair and fell onto the couch, staring into the fire. I could remember countless times sitting here with Harry, talking about everything and nothing all at one time. He was always such a gentleman. There was nobody like him in the world. He was like a little piece of heaven on earth. But the fact that I was a--what was it?--a succubus meant that it could have been nothing but lust that drew him to me. Well, lust was surely a factor. I had looked into his eyes and seen something more. Something other than lust. Or so I had thought.

This new revelation was contradicting everything, every emotion that I had felt towards Draco, every emotion Harry might or might not have felt towards me. It made everything so complicated. I wondered if it was possible that they both loved me for reasons other than my demon-attractiveness, or whatever it might be called. It was unlikely. I didn't have what people would call an addictive personality.

All of this gave me a headache. I was confused; I was sick of being confused. It seemed to be one of the only emotions I had left in me. But confusion was better than being dead. At least, that's what I believed. I had never died before, so I really wouldn't know how it was.

There was only one solution to the confusion. Draco. He was always the solution, or so it seemed. The boy with all the answers. What he had done to gain the answers I wasn't sure I wanted to know. But he had them, and I wanted them. So, I made a decision. I was going to ask him everything I wanted to; everything that I'd never had the chance to ask; everything that I'd never thought to bring up. Maybe not all in one night, but a few questions were easily dealt with.

I pulled Draco's cloak over my shoulders and pushed open the portrait. The fat lady gave a twitch in her sleep, and growled something. I whispered, "Wake up. You're going to have to be awake when I get back. Got it?"

"...no right to tell me...my job, not yours...yes, of course, I'll be awake."

I thanked her and jogged quickly down to the entrance hall. Mrs. Norris, the old cat belonging to the senile Mr. Filch, hissed from the corner. I pressed a finger to my lips and said, "I know curses that work on little kitties too. So shut up and forget I ever came by here you stupid beast." She backed off. I grinned to myself and continued down to the dungeons.

"Tempestus Goddard," I whispered to the bare strip of wall that marked the entrance to the Slytherin dorms. It slid open soundlessly. I stepped inside, lighting the tip of my wand to see my way. As clumsy as I was--and I was very clumsy--I was lucky in that I knocked nothing over on my way to Draco's room. I stopped outside his door, raising my hand to knock.

And then I heard a voice.

"Draco...you can't be serious?"

"I am."

"You're working to gain back Stevens' trust? Merlin's beard, do you not see how stupid a plan that is? You'd fall for her again. And she would have you wrapped around her finger. If you do this, you will be endangering everything. Every plan that we have put into motion would run the risk of failing miserably."

"Every plan has that risk. Life's a gamble, and I'm a gambler. Get over it."

The girl lowered her voice so that I could only hear a few words. "...her?...ingenious is not what I would choose. Don't you...I doubt that. I've seen how you handle...anger management classes."

Draco laughed whole-heartedly. "So now you're worried because I hurt her and she might not trust me entirely after it? She took my cloak, didn't she? She could have thrown it back in my face, but she didn't. She wore it, with more than a little pride, I can assure you. Nicole likes the attention. Or haven't you noticed?"

"She..." the girl faded off. "And you too."

"I don't think you have any right to be meddling in that. If I want to snog her senseless, then what's going to stop me? It won't affect me in the least. It might even get her closer to me. If it's a problem with you, take it up with the Dark Lord. See how he handles it, as he helped come up with this plan."

"I might just do that," she said loudly.

"Fine. Now, get out. I do sleep occasionally, and unless you're looking to be with me tonight, I plan to be sleeping within the next ten minutes."

"Are you offering?"

"Now, now, why would I offer anything to you?"

"You rotten, slimy git."

"Maybe," he replied. "But really..."

"If I said yes you'd toss me out."

"Not likely."

"Whatever you say, Mister Head Boy. Goodnight."

I ducked back into the common room and crouched behind a table. The girl--Blaise?!--came into the common room and headed to the girls' dormitories. I headed back to Draco's door and knocked. My knuckles protested the force with which I knocked, but I ignored it. The door opened, and Draco appeared, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Blaise, what is it now?"

"I don't know," I replied. "What do you think it is?"

His eyes widened, as he realised that it was not Blaise. "Nicole--"

"Shut up, and let me in."

Draco stepped aside and let me inside, closing and locking the door behind me. I tossed his cloak onto the bed and sat in one of the chairs by the warm fire. "You...have you been out there for long?"

"Long enough to hear part of that lovely conversation, if that's what you mean, which I am sure it is. Care to tell me what that was all about? Or do I have to beat it out of you?"

"Oh, I don't mind telling you. It's probably time you know anyway. Rayne owled me and told me that he'd let something slip about the Order. I meant to tell you eventually, but I never got around to it before this. Blaise works for the Dark Lord, as do most of the seventh year Slytherins. I suppose that with my father's standing in the Death Eater community that I am the head of all seventh year Death Eaters, or something like that. Blaise came tonight to talk about the plans. The Dark Lord has proposed, countless times, that I use you in his favour. I've been going along with it fairly well for a while. That's pretty much what Blaise was here for. She is, no matter how much her attitude argues, attracted to me. Better Blaise than Pansy, though I have Pansy on my hands as well. It's Malfoy Charm, I guess."

"Malfoy Charm © 1768 Malfoy Inc."

He grinned, nodding. "Some such nonsense," he said. "So, there you are. That's what all of it was about. Did you manage to get out of the way without her spotting you?"

"Obviously, or I wouldn't be here."

"So why are you here? I doubt you came just to bask in the warmth that is me. Or my fire."

"I hope you mean the literal fire," I said, gesturing at the fireplace.

"Yes, that's what I meant."

"I came to ask you some questions. I know you know the answers, and I want you to answer me honestly. Although it is difficult for you to do the whole honesty thing, I want you to try. This may take a while, so you might as well sit down."

Draco took the seat across from me, and gazed at me attentively. "All right, fire away."

"Well, firstly, why was I never told about Griffin?"

"Who?"

"Griffin. Griffin Malfoy."

"Oh. He's my father's second-cousin. He was cast from the family because he fell in love with a vampire girl and let her change him. Griffin's father, Pride--who was aptly named--impaled Griffin's lover on a stake. Because, as we all know by now, you can't kill a vampire with a sword."

"Right."

"Why do you ask about him? I didn't think you'd looked at my lineage...obviously I was mistaken."

"No. I didn't put any effort into meeting any more of your family that I already have. But I met Griffin. He was at the vampire camp. And he spoke to me."

"Quite good with words, I suspect."

"Yes. But he reminded me of you. He looked like you, spoke with the same persistent eloquence; he even moved with the same kind of pride that you do. It was eerie. He told me that he 'thought that any girl Draco fell for would be a full succubus.'"

"He was implying that I am very hard to please. In the past, Malfoys have been attracted to exotic women, succubi among them. Usually the succubi must be witches, or we don't willingly except them into our family."

"But you're an incubus."

"I am, yes. My mother is a succubus, albeit a weak one. My father has traces of it in him. I have loads of incubus blood in me, but Malfoy blood is stronger," he said.

"Griffin also said that he 'wasn't far off' and that 'half isn't bad.'"

"Odd."

"And then he told me what he was jabbering about. I'm part succubus. A very small part. He said that I naturally attract men and that I couldn't help it if I tried. It was the reason, he said, that I attracted you. Which would mean that it was also the reason that Harry was attracted to me. Isn't it great? No love for me, just demon bred attractiveness."

Draco gave me a look. "You're serious?"

"Is this my serious face?"

"Yes. No. I don't know. You're part succubus...how strange. It explains a lot. But that doesn't mean that I don't love you. That's ridiculous."

"No, I find it quite plausible."

"Well," he said, "I don't. Is that all you wanted to ask?"

"Of course not. You know me better than to come here in the middle of the night because I wanted to ask you two things. I have loads more questions. So, I'd better start asking or we'll be here all night. Tell me about the Order. The Order of the...whatever. I don't remember what it's called. "

"The Order of the Phoenix. Honestly, I wasn't too keen on it when Dumbledore suggested that I join. But even Potter wanted me to help. I thought it showed just how desperate for help they were, to employ a Death Eater's son."

"A Death Eater himself," I corrected. Draco's expression became sombre.

"You've got the Mark, too," he shot back.

"I realise that. I wasn't accusing you of anything, Draco. I was just stating the facts. So tell me more about it. And how you became involved."

"Before you start saying that I really care about defeating Voldemort, let me tell you that I had absolutely no intention of helping Dumbledore in any way. He spoke to me at the beginning of term, and I told him exactly what I thought. I wouldn't help him. But when Potter came to me, asking for my help...I knew it was serious. He said all kinds of things to get me to help them. He said that it would help me in the future, that I would be able to spend more time with Snape--he made it sound like Snape and I were dating or something. Potter even went so far as to say that you might think better of me if I joined. That was what really got to me. He was so desperate that he would bring you into it. You, of all people. You, the goddess of love in Potter's eyes...and there he was, speaking of you to me. He'd never discussed you with me, not unless it involved the words 'leave' and 'alone.' But he did it. It pained him, but he did it. I told him to give me a few days to think about it, even though I already knew I would. When I told him, he was very grateful. So here I am," he tugged at his robes, shrugging. "Part of an Order that is trying to bring Voldemort and my father crashing down from the throne."

I stared at the floor dully. "Tell me, did you join because of what he said?"

"Because of what Potter said?" he laughed. "Of course not. I agreed because he had laid down his pride and asked me."

"Damn, Draco. You really do have a heart under there."

He grinned, saying, "I've been trying to tell everyone about it for a long time."

"I'm sure you have."

A silence fell between us as we both gazed into the fire. I thought about everything he had said. Harry had forgotten his pride just to help Dumbledore. Ever the Wonder Boy. I wondered what he was doing right then. Sitting somewhere, quietly, probably planning something. A sudden surge of love pulsed through me, and I wished that I hadn't left him there. But I had known what was necessary. I had known how to handle it. I had Rayne to thank for that--he was working with Draco, I was sure. That was why he had let me escape. No girl took ten minutes to put on a simple dress.

There was an impatient tapping on the window. Draco stood and went to retrieve the letter from the black owl. He slit it open, reading it quickly. The owl hooted loudly; I glared at it. It flew to Draco's desk and perched there, obviously waiting for Draco to reply to the letter.

Draco let out a sharp hiss. "He can't."

"Who can't do what?" I asked.

He handed me the letter and went to draft a response.

My son,

The Dark Lord has requested that you join him tonight, in full Malfoy regalia. The Death Eaters are meeting at Malfoy Manor, which is where the Dark Lord will be. As our lord has specifically requested your presence, I require that you come to the meeting. Do not disappoint me, Son. You must bear in mind that you have sworn allegiance to The Dark Lord, and thus must serve him in any way possible.

You must arrive no later than three o' clock tonight. If you are late, not only will our lord be furious, I will punish you severely. You know what I expect of you. Parkinson, Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle are also attending tonight. Though you may travel separately, you must be social at the meeting. Do you understand?

In regard to your last letter, Harry Potter is being held in the dungeons at the Dark Castle. He has the largest cell, guarded by a Dementor and two Death Eaters at all times. Potter is fed three times daily; the Dark Lord refuses to starve him, so the boy is given hearty meals. However, he eats only a few bites, saying that it tastes of Dark Magic.

The Dementor guarding him is having a delightful time. Potter has nightmares when he manages to sleep. He cries out for the girl, making quite a racket. Most of the time when he screams it is for the girl, though sometimes it is for Lily Potter. When he is awake, he is little better. He mutters to himself, as he is becoming quite mad from being alone. The imprisonment spells are Dark Magic, and he seems to be unable to bear them. Other than that, he is quite well, for a prisoner of war.

I will see you soon.

Lucius Malfoy

I stared at the paper. Harry wasn't eating full meals. He had nightmares. He cried out in his sleep. It made my heart ache.

I looked up at Draco, who was furiously scribbling a response. His nose almost brushed the paper he was bent so low over it. I cleared my throat, saying, "I want to come with you."

"Absolutely not," he replied, writing still. "It's much too dangerous. I could conceal you, but someone still might spot you. There was a spell...I used it on Potter once, in fifth year. We were at Voldemort's castle. Do you remember?"

"Oh, yeah. He was invisible to me, but you could see him. You had to put a spell on him to make him invisible to everyone. I don't remember the actual spell though, sorry. My memory isn't the best."

"I remember the spell. It's just that so many things could go wrong. A simple tracking spell would still spot you with the invisibility charm on you. It would be so dangerous. For me and for you. If you were caught, everything would go to Hell. And if I was caught with you, I could blow the Order's cover. Think about this for a moment and be sure it's what you want before you decide to come. You might also see some unpleasant scenes...it's a Death Eater gathering, you realise."

"Yes, I know. And I'm positive I want to come. I need to know just a little more than you can tell me. What better place to scrounge for answers than in the place where the answers are obvious?"

"Whatever." He sealed the letter and handed it to the owl, which immediately hooted and soared out. "Come here, then. Let me try to do this." I went to stand across from him, while he thought about the spell. "I don't feel comfortable with this, I want you to know," he said, pointing his wand at me. "Proté Mener." A breath of wind fluttered over me, and I glanced down. My body was gone. My hands were gone. It had worked.

"Great job," I said.

"Yeah, I know. I didn't get to be Head Boy just because I'm handsome. Stay right there, while I go get dressed for the meeting."

"All right."

Within a few minutes he emerged from the closet, wearing heavy robes of black velvet. "Come here, Nicole."

I walked to stand in front of him. He held out his hand, and I took it. "Don't lose me. While we travel, hold onto my hand. At the meeting, hold onto the back of my robes, but be very careful. Understand?"

"Yeah."

"All right then," he led me to the fire and threw a handful of powder into it. "I can't believe I'm letting you come." We stepped into the fire, and he called out, "Malfoy Manor." A wave of ash swept over my eyes and we were gone.