Nicole Stevens: Dragons and Deceit

Chapter Eighteen: The End

It was cold. And the snow was melting under my feet. My toes had frostbite; I was shivering of cold; and I was in an all-around bad mood. Umbridge was very upset with me. She had caught me trying to sneak down to Draco's room in the middle of the night, and she had taken me immediately to Dumbledore, who had reluctantly contacted Lucius. And that was the cause for my being outside at half-past midnight on a cold winter night.

We were waiting for Lucius to arrive, and I had been forced to wait outside with the heavily bundled-up Umbridge, and Dumbledore. Draco, who was--I realized angrily--probably lying in bed, sleeping in the warmth, had no idea of my current troubles. This was the first time, and hopefully the last, in my life that I had wanted Lucius to arrive sooner, rather than later. With a stifled cry, partially of pain and partially of joy, I saw Lucius' carriage enter the gates. Several minutes later he arrived, looking particularly smug.

"Ah, now...shall we begin?" Lucius said, sidestepping me and making his way up to the castle doors. He opened them, and led us inside. Dumbledore stepped up beside me, a gesture that showed that he supported me. But that did me little good. Lucius headed upstairs to Dumbledore's office, and when we had finally arrived, Lucius pushed me down in a chair and stood in front of me.

"Lucius, I really must say, you are quite intent on catching this poor girl for something. Could this not have waited until the morning?" Dumbledore questioned in a polite tone.

"If that is to be your attitude, then leave. Go back to bed and let me waste no more of your precious time, Headmaster," Lucius hissed angrily.

Dumbledore nodded slowly, glancing at me. "I trust that she will be fine without me. Goodnight, Miss Stevens. Miss Umbridge, Lucius," Dumbledore exitted, no doubt going to his room. I did not worry--at least, I tried not to worry, about my fate. Dumbledore wouldn't have left me if he didn't think I was going to be able to cope.

"Where is your wand, Miss Stevens?" Lucius growled.

"In my room, where I left it," I lied. "Honestly, this is all a huge misunderstanding. I wasn't going to commit arson. I was just going down to the kitchens for a midnight snack. Those elves love to be busy. They enjoy helping people. I just thought I'd make them a little happier. The good of the elves, really. That's what it comes down to."

"What it comes down to, Miss Stevens," Umbridge said, "is that you were going to leave your room in the middle of the night, to go gallavanting through the school after curfew. That is what it comes down to. Nothing else."

"Umbridge, I believe I can handle Miss Stevens alone. You may go back to your room. Keep a close eye for Miss Stevens. She will be back in her room before two. Or else."

Umbridge nodded mistrustfully, but left anyway. Lucius leaned back on the headmaster's desk, his eyes cold steel. I was struck with a sudden feeling of panic. Mortal terror would have been a more accurate sum-up of the emotion, actually. I sat, frozen in my seat, looking up at Lucius in what I hoped was a defiant glare, but what was probably more like a terrified expression.

"I know what you were doing. You were going down to my son," he spit out the words.

"And if I was, what, perhaps, would you do about it?"

"Oh, Miss Stevens, do not pretend to underestimate me. I could do a very large number of things to make Draco find you unnatractive, and therefore unworthy of his time. But why disfigure you. There are so many other ways to punish people."

"Well, you of all people should know how to punish people. Just being in the room with you is punishment. Or haven't you noticed."

Lucius backhanded me across the face. I felt the blood rush up, in what would most certainly be a purple bruise. He tilted my chin up, his face coming too close to mine.

"Now, tell me, Miss Stevens...what is it about my son that you find so attractive?"

"Ew. Why on earth would I tell you?" My smart comment was rewarded with another blow to my face. "You really should know that I bruise easily and people will wonder--"

"I do not give a damn about what people wonder about, or about your precious skin. There are spells to conceal marks. Answer my question now."

"Draco is Draco. He's not ruined because he's a Malfoy. You obviously were."

A third strike to my face. "Nicole," he whispered darkly, "your sarcasm and wit, while very amusing at times, are becoming redundant and I will not hesitate to remedy the situation."

"Lucius, redundancies run in my family. Like the tendency to kill people...well, I know that most of my aunts and uncles happen to be very viol--"

Lucius grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked very hard. I groaned. "This is not quite fun enough yet." He reached into his pocket with his free hand, and I tried not to throw up because of the bad mental images I was getting. Lucius pulled out a powder, and threw it into the fireplace. Draco's face appeared, and Lucius ordered, "Come, boy."

Draco crawled out, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Father, what is the ma--? Nicole?" Draco came for me, but stopped as Lucius pulled my hair harder. "What are you...?"

"To hell if I know. This crazy old bloke just keeps pulling my--ouch!"

"Father, stop. This isn't accomplishing anything. If you want to deal with a problem, perhaps you should deal with me instead."

Lucius shook his head, "Oh, you poor, pathetic boy. I am dealing with you." He backhanded me. "Heartstrings, you know."

Draco flinched. "What do you want?"

"Take your girl," he pulled me out of the chair, shoving me at Draco. "And follow me. The Dark Lord is calling."

"Hell no!" I made for the door, but Lucius sent a jet of sparks flying out of his wand, and I stopped. Draco took my arm and let me to the fire. He pulled me in, saying, "Malfoy Manor." I had the distinct feeling that my night would last quite a while.

----

It seemed to me that Lucius had lost his mind. He didn't seem to care that this act would send him to Azkaban for the rest of his life. Kidnapping was a crime, even in the wizarding world. But these thoughts didn't make me feel any better. If anything, they made me feel worse, because I knew that if Lucius had given up on trying to keep out of the law's way, then Voldemort must be very assured that he would win this fight.

Whatever the case, my thoughts were centered on how the hell I was going to get out of this mess. My hands were shackled behind my back, and I was sitting in a dark, dank cell in the depths of Malfoy Manor. I was, fortunately, dressed in wizard's robes, and not in my nightgown, so I was somewhat warmer than I would have been otherwise. But my situation was none the better for it.

The cell door opened, and in stepped Vitale. I glared at him as he strode over to stand near me.

"Good evening, Miss Stevens. I do hope you are enjoying your stay.”

I spat at his feet. Vitale tutted at me, bending down to my level. He grinned, his sharp incisors glinting in the faint torchlight. His long hair poured over his shoulders and down his back in waves.

"You must learn some manners, girl, or you will recieve a very unpleasant lesson."

"I don't care. You can do whatever you like to me; it'll make no difference in the end. You should be more worried about what lessons you have yet to learn. I mean, think about it. Why worry about lessons I need to learn, when you could worry about what you have to learn. That's a hell of a lot scarier."

He shrugged. "I'm not afraid."

A voice from the door flowed in. "She needs to be ready in half an hour."

It was a voice I recognized. My cousin Shawn. Of course. He was one of them. One of the Death Eaters.

"Shawn, now really, you could acknowledge your own cousin with more than that!" I called out. He stuck his head in the door, raising his eyebrows. "Merlin, what have you done to yourself! You look like a demon from the Hellfire attacked you. When did you last sleep?"

"You don't look so hot yourself, Nicole. Vitale, get her upstairs and out of those robes. The Dark Lord has some clothes prepared in the blood room."

"Go fetch those. I won't risk moving her. Not until I absolutely have to."

"Fine. I'll be right back."

He returned several minutes later, carrying white robes in his arms. Casting them away from him and onto the floor, he muttered a few words to Vitale, and then turned to me. "Dear cousin, I regret that we have to end our relationship on such terms, but this is the last time you'll see me. Next time I see you, you'll be...well, dead. So, have fun. When you get to hell, tell my father hello."

"Oh, is this not hell? I'm not dead already? What a shame."

Shawn smirked, leaving Vitale standing there with a bored expression on his face. Vitale nudged me with his foot, handing me the clothes. "Stand up," he commanded. "Change clothes."

"With you watching? I think not."

"I am quite a bit older than you, human. I have seen my share of beautiful women. You, my darling little child, are nothing special. I feel no urge to watch you undress."

"Are you trying to tell me that women actually go for that pasty, lord-of-the-undead look? I doubt it."

"Change now, or I'll bite you."

"Whatever."

----

Somewhere between the dungeons and the ceremony room, we got lost. I wasn't all that sad about it. In retrospect, I realise that it was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was never quite sure how it happened, but all of a sudden, there were very bright lights all around us, and Vitale ended up on the floor, stunned. Behind me, I saw Snape, Dumbledore, McGonagall and countless others. The Light had arrived.

The hurried past me, with Dumbledore in the lead. No one spoke to me; they gestured that I should head downstairs, to get out. Their arrival should stop anyone from noticing me. I took the chance greatfully, running down the stairs onto the first floor. I found myself in a large hall, with grand-looking doors all around.

From somewhere behind me, I heard the disgruntled shouts of Death Eaters. They had heard me, and they weren't happy. I ran, ducking into a room and dashing into the shadows, narrowly avoiding falling into a pool of dark water. Surveying my surroundings, I guessed that it was a fountain room or pool room.

My wand dropped from my hand, but as I bent to look for it, Lucius entered the room. So I clung to the shadows, hoping to be concealed from the eyes of the Death Eater. He stood by the edge of the pool, peering darkly into the deep waters. He looked up, casting around for any sign of me. Turning away, Lucius left the pool room.

I crawled out of the dark corner, trying to make as little noise as possible. Tripping over the heavy white robes, I began to search around for my fallen wand. It was too dark in the room. Something exploded in the hallway, and I jumped. A spell had hit the door of the pool room. I pulled off the heavy robe, throwing it into the corner. Then, knowing I might die from lack of oxygen but knowing it was the only way out, I lowered myself into the pool, just as a Death Eater entered the room.

Under the water, I held my breath and hoped to come out alive. It was murky and dark. My eyes stung and my head hurt from lack of air. I could hardly stay down here any longer. The surface of the water was so far away I didn't think that I could have made it to the top before I drowned.

Someone was standing by the edge of the pool. He jumped in the pool and swam down to me. My vision blurred as I heard a voice in my head, 'Nicole. What are you doing down here?'

'Draco--help me. I have to have air.'

He kissed me. I had air...his air. 'Come on, Nicole. Let's get out.'

'But the Death Eaters,' I said. 'They'll catch me.'

'No, they're busy putting out the fire I started.' He took me by the waist and pulled me up to the surface. I coughed and spluttered, as Draco crawled out. Taking my hands, he heaved me from the pool and sat me at the edge. I shivered from cold as Draco wrapped my robes around me.

"Come on. We're leaving," he took my hand and led me out through a dark passageway. I didn't know where he was taking me, but wherever it was, it had to be better than being imprisoned alone.

~~~~~~

Draco hissed a curse at the bars and kicked them out of the way. Harry crawled out and thanked him.

"As much as I like you two being civil, I think we should go. Let's see if we can find a way out of the prison."

"No, I'm finding Voldemort."

"Potter, stop being a nitwit and come on. This is no time for Dark Lord dueling sessions. He'll be upset when he finds you've gotten out of your cell, but if you confront him he'll have your arse and you know it. I don't like you very much, but...I'd rather see you live with all your parts intact than see Voldemort shove your wand up your--"

"Harry, he's right. You've got to come with us. If you go, you know it'll be..." I stopped, clapping a hand over your mouth before I could say 'the last time.' "You know it won't turn out."

"Potter, listen to us. I hate you and yet I'm trying to save you from getting your head chopped off."

"No. Malfoy, I hate you as well. But you've got to understand that I'm doing this. No. Matter. What. Do you understand?"

"Harry, you can't. I won't let you. You're coming with us. You have to. I'm not standing by to watch you be killed by a homicidal, cross-dressing, dark lord. For one, it's stupid. And secondly, it's not your cross to bear."

"It is. My blood helped bring him back and if it takes my blood to kill him then so be it. You should let me do it. I supported you, won't you do the same for me? If I die, then I'll die. But I'm not leaving you to die as well. I'm getting rid of him once and for all. Malfoy, I don't expect you to do anything for my sake. But for Nicole. Keep her safe."

Draco sighed resolutely, staring at Harry. Harry stared back. Looking between the two boys, I saw that there was no way to convince Harry not to go. Draco nodded slightly, frowning almost sadly.

"Nicole," Draco said. "Go to Jade. Tell her I sent you. She'll know what to do. She should be waiting at her post at the end of the tunnel. Don't turn back, and keep going straight until you see her."

"But--"

"Do it," Harry said. He looked at me and smiled wearily. "It's almost over. I promise I'll finish it once and for all. I love you."

Draco pushed Harry at me. Harry kissed my cheek and headed the other direction.

"I can't tell you what's going to happen," said Draco. "But just know that everything will get better from now on. Remember: the grass withers, the flowers fade, but...I want you to know that love isn't like that. It never ends. Go now." He kissed my forehead and turned me in the direction I needed to go. Then he followed after Harry. I watched him go. His boots clicked sharply, and he never looked back. They were going to work together. For the first and last time. It was hard for me to swallow past the lump in my throat. I had to turn away. But I couldn't leave them like this.

"Wait!" I cried out.

I saw Harry stop, squaring his shoulders and hanging his head. Draco sighed heavily. Harry turned around, walking back to me. I threw my arms around his neck, squeezing him like he was my last tie to Earth, to my life. "I love you, too."

"I'll see you later."

"How much later?"

"Whenever our paths cross again. Nicole, this is what I have to do. You know it. Hell, even Malfoy knows it."

I swallowed, and Harry tilted my chin up, brushing my hair out of my face. Tears formed at the corner of my eyes, spilling down my cheeks. He kissed them away, and gently pressed his lips to mine. My body screamed, aching pain like mercury in my veins flowed through me. This was love.

"Don't forget that you can love more than one person, Nicole." It was the last thing he said to me, before he disappeared with Draco down the hall.

Finally, I went down the long corridor that would lead me to Jade. She was my only hope of escaping from this terrible fate.

----

Jade led me out of the horrible castle, and gave me directions on how I could get home. She was sending me, not to Hogwarts, but to my home. It belonged to me, now. And luckily, my parents had saved enough money for me to be able to maintain it for a while. I took a cab, spending the Muggle money Jade had given me. It seems she, too, had joined the Light.

By nightfall, I was home. The door was unlocked when I reached it. I entered, taking everything in. The blood on the carpet, left from my parents' kidnapping, was still there. Instead of going to my room and sleeping, as I would have in the past, I went to the kitchen, grabbing cleaning supplies and my wand. I poured a magical cleaning substance on it, and cast a removal spell on it. It felt relieving to know that my house was clean. Eventually, I would have to learn to keep everything clean on my own. But today, I was happy just to get that clean.

I walked upstairs slowly. It seems I had aged in the past year, and I was now as old as my parents would have been. In my parents' bedroom, I sat on their bed, facing the closet door. Then I stood, going to it and removing all the clothes. I smelled them, trying to remember how my parents had smelled. Then I picked out one shirt from my father's clothes, and one dress from my mother's clothes. The rest of them I threw into the huge fireplace in the living room. As they burned I felt a weight being lifted. I wasn't forgetting them. I was remembering them and celebrating their lives by starting a would-be bonfire. This was how it should be.

I watched them burn until the clothes were indistinguishable. Then I headed to my closet, pulling everything out. I kept some trousers, some blouses, a couple of nice dresses, a robe, and the rest I threw into the fire. It was a goodbye to who I once was. I had evolved into someone much different. Someone relatively more mature. At least, I could be mature if I needed to be.

Once everything was finished burning, I sunk back onto the couch, relaxing. Then I let myself fall asleep.

For once, I did not dream.

----

In the morning, when I woke, it was to the sound of someone whistling. I sat up suddenly, remembering that I was alone. Running into the kitchen, I was met by a sight I could not believe.

Draco.

Cooking eggs and bacon on the stove, he was whistling. I stared at him, dumbfounded.

"You're here."

"I'm alive, as well. Did you notice?"

I ran to him, hugging him tightly. He returned the embrace, kissing my cheek.

"How did everything turn out?" I asked.

"Well, we won. Finally. You know what had to happen with Potter."

I did know. So he was dead.

"What do we do now?" I mused thoughtfully.

"We live, Nicole. It's the only thing we can do. And, in the end, that's what will matter. How we lived."

"So we're a 'we' now, are we?"

"Yeah, it would appear so."

"Finally."