Iuga Sortis II

Nine

He watched them train, and a sense of awe filled him. One had eyes of the sun, and her inner beauty shone as brightly. She was his bride, his sister bride to protect the throne of Egypt and the world. There was love; how could there not be? She was his first love, and for that he'd forever cherish and appreciate her. But the other, the one who had eyes of the most fertile banks of the Nile, she was the one who had his heart. Those eyes looked at him so softly and filled with an emotion that he felt undeserving and yet oh so very powerful to have.

He was torn.

But for some reason, he didn't think his wife would be all that heartbroken. He wasn't dumb; he knew she had feelings for the Nubian god of war.

He felt his lip curl in mild disgust.

Apedemak was a thorn in his side, a necessary one, but a thorn nonetheless. Perhaps he should be glad the lion-headed god quit sniffing after Nephthys, though he knew that was illogical. Isis was his wife, but she didn't feel like a wife. Isis was his best ally, his confidante. Whenever he had a problem, she was the first person he sought, for he knew her words were true and accurate. The affection was not limited either. She would hold him in her arms as they slept, offering a comfort he could find little where else. Her kisses calmed his ire or put him at ease--she was the greatest of friends.

Nephthys, on the other hand, had quickly escalated to that status in his eyes, regardless of the fact they'd spent little time together as of late. For her face to be the first he saw when he awoke from the land of the dead seemed as sure a sign as any. Her eyes were so joyous when he awoke. Not that Isis wasn't happy, but the underlying affection in Nephthys's eyes made his heart stop again.

It was as if Nephthys had awoken from the dead just as he, that he held the key to her living. It was a power he reveled in, but at the same time he felt scared and humbled. He didn't deserve her affections, no matter how much he wanted them. He'd hardly paid attention to her at the beginning, so concerned about Isis not being at the mercy of his brother Set.

White-hot fire coursed through him at the mention of that traitor, but Osiris removed him from his mind.

He had more important, pleasant things of which to think.

She and Isis were so different, but then again he had green skin, and Isis was a dark mahogany color. Nephthys was the color of the purest white lily, and her skin was just as soft. Her hair was the color of fire, and it flowed down her back in waves--of course, that's when he was allowed to see it. Most of the time they wore those insufferable wigs that hid their beauty.

He never understood the practice, but he left it to the will of women, and who was he to challenge that?

Especially if the woman-god was Isis. His wife even sent Ra in a trembling mess.

To say the least, Osiris was glad she was on his side.

"A divided heart makes a man weak."

Osiris rolled his eyes at the voice. "Should I still say the same for you?"

Apedemak shook his head shortly. "No. I know the one who is for me, who is meant to be for me."

"But she is mine."

Apedemak scoffed. "They are both yours! That is why your heart is so divided. Can you not let go of at least one?"

"And make things easier for you? Why ever would I want to do that?"

Apedemak growled lowly in his throat. His canines elongated with his ire, but Osiris was unimpressed.

"I am not Thanatos; I will not cower every time you show your pathetic powers."

"If it weren't for these pathetic powers, as you claim, you wouldn't be here."

"You think my wife so incapable to do things without your help? Surely you've misjudged her."

The growl became louder, and Osiris knew why.

"Does it burn you I'm the one who holds her at night, Apedemak?"

"Does it burn you can't do the same to Nephthys?"

The white fire began to rise, but he was not fool enough to provoke the ire of his very powerful ally. Though he knew Apedemak would never aide Thanatos and Set for all the power in the world, it was better to be on more amicable terms than not.

"Why don't you just go back to Nubia and leave us the hell alone?"

Apedemak smirked. "As much as I'd love to, I can't. I have duties here."

"Duties that include my wife, I'll bet!"

Apedemak glared at him. "She's not an innocent party in this either, you know."

"I know she hasn't betrayed me."

"Yes, she has, in the worst way possible. She loves me."

A feeling of dread settled in his stomach as he heard the declaration. It made it real to finally hear it.

"She loves me as well."

"But not as a wife should a husband."

"But she loves you as such?"

"And I her. I love that woman, Osiris."

He looked into the other god's eyes, and he couldn't deny the affection even if he tried. It was so obvious in those green eyes that Osiris's animosity for the man lessened.

Only slightly. He still needed to hear how he felt for Nephthys.

"I feel for Nephthys what you feel for Isis, Osiris. You have no fear of me trying to ruin that relationship."

"But you have no qualms about destroying the one I have with Isis?"

"That is totally different, and you know it. Are you really so selfish you'd keep both of them at your beck and call? Isis, while she loves you, desperately wants to feel a love you cannot provide her. She will not leave you, not unless you give her permission."

"She is loyal," Osiris agreed.

"To a fault. But so am I. As much as you annoy me, Osiris, I am honor bound to be with you, to help you gain dominion over your brother."

"It's not gaining dominion; it's keeping this world from going into a black hell."

"And to keep Isis away from him."

"And Nephthys."

"What?"

"She was married to Set for a time."

"What?"

It seemed the world around him darkened as he continued to speak. "He thought he could use her to get to me, to get the power of the throne. But I think she was a substitute; he really wanted Isis."

"I know."

Apedemak's tone was one of indifference, a far more potent emotion than hate. Not caring what happened to one's enemy made it easy to vanquish him, and Apedemak did not care one bit about Set.

"He was good, too. He said everything he needed to say. He filled her head with pretty words, told her Isis and I didn't care about her, Isis was jealous . . ."

"Why would he try to turn her against Isis?"

"Nephthys is far more powerful than she believes herself to be, and Set knew it. Though not as powerful as Isis, with her on his side, they could vanquish Isis much easier, or at the very least woo her to his side. He wants the throne, and that meant taking me out of the equation. But to do that, Set must get Isis."

"Hiding behind your wife, I see."

Osiris glared at him. "No. I stand beside her. If anything, she stands behind me. The greatness of the man depends on the woman behind him. She has my back, through thick and thin. If it weren't for her--"

"You'd be ruling the underworld."

"Which I may do still. The souls down there are not happy, Apedemak. Thanatos is wreaking havoc down there."

"Do you think Isis would follow you to hell?"

"Yes, I do, but she doesn't belong there. That is not her place."

Apedemak frowned. "You believe it to be Nephthys's place?"

Osiris looked the Nubian god in the eyes unflinchingly. "Her place is with me."

"Bold words spoken of a woman who does not belong to you."

"Isis and I were betrothed by our parents. Nephthys and I are betrothed by our hearts. So help me Ra, I love that woman."

"And what of Isis?"

He looked towards the two women again and saw Isis looking at him. She smiled slightly and looked at the other woman beside her. It was a knowing look, a look of understanding and acceptance.

"Isis knows. She's not a dumb woman."

"She's the cleverest creature to walk this earth."

Osiris heard the pride in the god's voice, and he felt a stab of anger.

"You will hurt her."

Apedemak's eyes flashed dangerously. "How do you think I will hurt her?"

"The role of martyr comes too easy for you. You're too quick to lay down your life for her."

"And that makes me a bad person? She's the one who continues to deny me!"

"Because she knows you. You love her, yes, but you love duty more. She wants all of your love, Apedemak, not just bits and pieces of it."

"Who is a man if he cannot fulfill his duty?"

"A man who lives, a man who doesn't let the one good, pure thing in his life go away because duty called."

"She has a duty to you, as well, Osiris. She won't allow herself to let go because she's bound to you."

Osiris smirked. "That's what she told you, eh?"

Apedemak frowned. "Is that not the truth?"

Osiris sighed. "She believes it is, but I know her better than she knows herself. She is afraid to love you."

Apedemak sputtered helplessly. "But--but-but why? I've never kept my feeling secret?"

"She saw how you were with Nephthys, the affection you held for her at the beginning. She doesn't want to be in a fickle love. You wanted Nephthys because you couldn't have her. Now that you can, you don't want her anymore. Now you want my wife, because you can't have her, but also because she is so powerful. She loves you on a more grounded level than she's seen you love, and she's not willing to risk her heart. Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn."

Apedemak jerked back as if he'd slapped him. "Does she really . . ."

"You treated her with such disdain when you first met us. You rescued Nephthys from Set, and you blamed her and me for putting Nephthys in his clutches in the first place. Besides, it's easy to love what you can't have because then you can't miss what you never had."

"That doesn't make any sense!"

"Yes, it does, especially since you know I'm right."

"It's not as if she treated me so nicely, either!"

"No, she didn't; she was very angry at you. You turned her world upside down. Love was never an issue until you came."

"As if I believe you."

"You don't have to, but against my better judgment I'm going to tell you this--she fell in love with you upon the first meeting of her eyes on you."

Apedemak drew in a wild breath. "What?"

Osiris grinned. "I told you I know my sister better than she knows herself. I watched her as she greeted you. Her eyes widened, ever so slightly, and she let out the tiniest of gasps. I knew then I'd lost her undivided devotion to me."

"Makes you crazy, doesn't it?"

"Yes, but that is because I don't believe you worthy of such a gift."

"Just as I don't believe you worthy of Nephthys."

Osiris raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "Clearly that decision is not up to you. The Fates have decided."

"You'll never treat her the way I would have."

"Given the way you string Isis along, I daresay I treat her better."

"That is not fair!"

"It is fair. I know you've told Isis you love her. I know you tell her you wish you were together, but it's a lie! You don't love her, not the way she needs to be loved."

"How is that?"

"Completely."

"Do you love Nephthys completely? Even though I know you harbor strong affections for your wife."

"Yes, I do."

"How can you, when you're married to another woman?"

"While Isis knows me and understands me, she does not have me. We are independent of each other. Nephthys has me totally. And the reason she does is because I gave myself to her. That is how you love someone completely, Apedemak, to surrender yourself to that person."

"I am not capable of doing such a thing."

"And that is why you never could have Nephthys, and you'll never have Isis."

Someone was hitting his back incessantly, and it was driving him nutters.

"Blasted all! Leave me be!"

"Drakkie, I can't! We have our prefects' meeting to get to! Wake up!"

"So what? I don't really want to hear that old hag praise the Mudblood and her daft boyfriend once again!"

"Neither do I, but we have no choice!"

"There's always a choice, Parkinson."

"Fine, I'm sure there are other things we could do instead of going to the prefects' meeting. I'm sure we could have our own private one in the prefects' bathroom."

Draco suddenly became ill, and he stood quickly. "On second thought, it would be good to unnerve those two; that always brings me joy . . ."

"Oh Drakkie! You're so deliciously sadistic!" Pansy linked her arms through his, and he controlled the urge to gag.

The walk to the meeting was long and full of Pansy's chatter. Luckily for Draco, he'd learned to tune her out long before now. They entered the Great Hall's antechamber and noticed everyone else was already there.

Great. Merlin knows how I love to make an entrance!

McGonagall peered at them over her glasses. "So nice you two could join us. Wouldn't want to keep you from more important matters . . ."

There was a loud cackle that sounded oddly like the Weasel's.

"Sleeping is rather important, Professor," he said coolly.

The other students gasped at his nerve, and McGonagall lifted an eyebrow. "Be careful, Mr. Malfoy, I wouldn't step one toe out of line if I were you," the formidable witch warned.

Draco met her eyes undeterred and gave a slight nod. Far be it from him to give his father something else to rail about. He ignored the loud whispers and sat down in a corner. He was directly across from the Mudblood, the Weasel, and Ginger.

He smirked at her, and she rolled her eyes, but not before he saw a corner of her mouth lift.

"We are going to do something different this year. For the past several days, you have been allowed to choose your own partners. However, in the wake of current events, the Headmaster and I have decided it would be best to make the partner selection random, to foster a stronger unity between the Houses. Here I have the names of all of you here. With a simple tap of my wand you will be paired at random with your new, permanent patrolling partner. There will be no swapping unless the Headmaster and I are sure you two would kill each other if the opportunity arose . . ."

She looked pointedly at Weasley and Draco, and he chuckled. Whatever else he thought of McGonagall, daft was not it.

She lifted her wand and tapped the list three times. "Misceo."

All the students watched McGonagall's face as she studied the new list. Her eyes widened slightly then pursed her lips into a thin line.

Draco was excited by the possibilities of such a reaction.

She muttered another spell, and the parchment multiplied to the number of students who were present. "All right, prefects. Here are the newly sorted lists. As I said, they are not subject to change unless totally necessary." She handed one to everybody, taking longer than necessary to give Draco his copy.

He glanced down at the parchment and smirked.

Malfoy, Draco; Weasley, Virginia.

He could practically feel Weasel's anger boring a hole through his head, but he really couldn't care less.

Ginger. Alone. For two hours. At night.

If he could, Draco would send Fate a very nice thank you card.

He lifted his eyes, making sure to give a very obnoxious wink to the already-about-to-explode redheaded boy being calmed by his Mudblood girlfriend.

"Mr. Malfoy, kindly stop flirting with Mr. Weasley as I go over important instructions for your patrolling duties," McGonagall said airily.

Draco blushed hotly as the rest of the students snickered at him.

Someone growled.

"You are to remain with your partner at all times. If one of you should get lost . . ."

Draco began to tune McGonagall out again, thinking this bit of information unnecessary to hear.

Let Ginger go? Not bloody likely . . .

Unbeknownst to Ginny Weasley, she was stuck with Draco--for good. If he'd had any doubts about his feelings for the youngest Weasley, they were all eradicated when he first saw her in Flourish and Blotts--dusty from traveling by Floo, the most beautiful creature he ever saw. He dragged her out of that bookstore to a secluded spot--he didn't remember where, nor did he care--and he held her. He didn't kiss her, he held her so tight she had to hit him to let her breathe. A feeling so foreign and overwhelming encompassed his whole being; kissing was the last thing on his mind then. Ginny didn't seem to mind, after he loosened his hold on her, slightly anyway. She burrowed her head underneath his chin, and her arms went around his waist. He'd never felt so safe, so wanted in all his life; it was like coming home. That was what really left him unsettled and yet at peace for the first time. No wonder Malfoy Manor seemed so cold; Ginny was home for him.

Some things never change.

Draco frowned at the thought.

"Drakkie!"

An elbow hit his side hard, and he glared at Pansy.

"What?"

"We're done, and your assignment is up."

He looked at McGonagall who was glaring at him. He barely contained the urge to roll his eyes as he left the meeting. Draco looked around and didn't see Ginger or her prat of a brother, hoping that meant he left before they had to do their shift.

"Random, my arse! McGonagall did that so we'd have babysitters. She doesn't trust us," Pansy prattled.

"She's not daft," Draco said absently.

"Right," she said sarcastically.

"Who's your partner anyway?"

Pansy grinned. "Granger."

Draco didn't know whether to feel sorry for Pansy or Granger, so he chose neither.

"She won't let you out of her sight for two seconds," he warned her.

"Good, she's got it coming to her from last year."

"And unfortunately for you, she'll probably send it right back."

"You're defending her?"

"Don't really have to; she can do that for herself."

"Just because she slapped you silly third year doesn't mean she can do the same to me," she said meanly.

Draco glared at her. "She probably wouldn't be as kind to you."

She looked at him strangely. "Crabbe was right; you have changed."

"Yes. I've gotten taller, more attractive . . ."

"That little bitch--"

"If I were you, I'd shut up." His voice was calm, but the power was there nonetheless.

"You've got soft, Draco," she said instead.

"According to you, but then again, you're listening to Crabbe which doesn't mean much. He may be smarter than he looks, but that doesn't mean he's a Merlin or anything."

She scowled at him.

"Run along, Parkinson. Don't you have Goyle's arse to sniff around?"

She sniffed at him and walked away. He praised Merlin for small miracles. Draco walked towards the main corridor, hoping to find Ginny there.

He found her brother instead.

Suddenly an arm pressed hard into his windpipe, and he felt his back slam into the wall.

"You even look at her wrong I swear to Merlin, Ferret, I will kill you."

"Aren't--aren't you doing that now?" he wheezed.

Ron narrowed his eyes and pressed harder. Draco swore his eyes bugged out his sockets.

"You thought you were so clever Monday, knocking over my sister to 'help' her stand, putting your hands in places they don't belong . . ."

"And yet she wasn't complaining."

Draco knew this wasn't helping him breathe any better, but to see the red creep in Weasel's face was more than worth it.

"Why you little--"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Ron's arms suddenly snapped to his body, and he fell backward straight as a board. Draco collapsed against the wall and held his throat, soothing the abrasions caused by Ron.

"Can't . . . believe . . . you . . . did that . . ." he gasped.

"Rather me let him kill you? Though I daresay that's one less pest to worry about," Granger said dryly.

"You're too kind."

"Unlike you, Malfoy, I have a conscience. I can't just stand there and let someone kill someone else."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Had the shoe been on the other foot, and one of your goons had their arm at my throat, would you stop them?"

Draco merely blinked at her for a moment. Hermione snorted and rolled her eyes as she pointed her wand to Ron.

"Finite Incantatum."

Ron bent his legs to make sure he had command of his limbs again before he jumped up and rounded on Hermione.

"Why did you do that?"

"You're a prefect! You seem to forget that fact whenever Malfoy's in your presence!"

"He was touching my sister! I had to give him a proper warning."

"Dear Merlin, Ron! I don't remember you acting this way whenever he picked on me!"

"Does the word 'slugs' ring any bells?" Draco offered.

Both Gryffindors glared at him, but Ron inclined his head in Draco's direction.

"Oi! Remember that? Remember when he called you a--a--"

"Mudblood," Draco supplied.

Ron gnashed his teeth to retain control. "That. I tried to hex him--"

"Bang up job you did, at that," he interjected.

"Shut up, Malfoy! Besides, Ginny's waiting for you at the stairs."

"You're letting him go alone? What kind of friend are you?"

"Would you rather I ask McGonagall if I can switch places with Ginny?"

All the color drained from Ron's face. "Hell no! This is the same bastard who wished the basilisk would kill you."

"Clearly not all wishes come true," Draco muttered.

Hermione looked smug. "No, thanks to Harry."

It was Draco's turn to glare. "Enough of this. I have my patrol to run." He began to walk away when Hermione's voice stopped him.

"And Malfoy? You'll never be half the man Harry is. You're just a substitute."

He heard the hidden meaning in the barb and he felt rage flow white hot through his veins.

"What do you--"

"I've figured it out, of course. I am the cleverest witch in a century, Malfoy; surely you encounter that fact each time we get our scores . . ."

He turned and looked at her coldly. "Better a substitute than a mistake, Granger. At least substitutes are worthy of the replacement. Mistakes need to be corrected. You will be corrected soon enough."

He heard a gasp from behind him, and his heart plummeted in his stomach. Draco didn't want to turn and face her, but it was better than seeing the smirk on Granger's face. He turned and faced her resolutely. Ginny said nothing, her mouth clenched closed and fire in her eyes.

She was very upset with him.

"Ready to go, Little Weasel?" he asked as if nothing had happened.

"Her name is Miss Weasley to you!" Ron seethed.

Draco rolled his eyes and began to walk away, not bothering to wait for Ginny.

"Keep your wand ready at all times, Gin; never know what the spawn of evil is bound to do. If I weren't so confident in your defense abilities, I'd switch out myself."

"Thanks for your vote of confidence, Ron, but I think I can handle it from here," Ginny said dryly.

"I don't trust him, Gin. Are you sure you'll be all right?"

"I'll be fine! Now stop babying me!"

Now Draco could only hear muffles and the clicking of feet against the stone floor. He tried to remain nonchalant as Ginny joined him.

She did not speak to him.

I really just do not need this.

"Ginny--"

"Did you mean it?"

Her tone was flat, void of emotion. He knew it was merely bubbling under the surface of her perfectly schooled face.

Now I could lie, or I could tell the truth. Which would make her less upset at me?

"C'mon, Ginger, if I didn't say something like that, then they'd suspect about us." He desperately hoped that was an adequate response, for it sounded pretty pathetic to his own ears.

She guided his face, so that her eyes locked with his. He felt himself being sucked into those chocolate orbs, and he prayed never to be free of them.

She blinked.

"You are lying to me. You meant it."

His heart moved from his stomach to the center of the earth. He wondered how he still stood since she'd ripped his heart out and stomped on it.

At least it felt that way.

"Ginny--"

"Do you really hate her that much?" she asked quietly and turned from him. She began to patrol the hallways, and Draco had to walk to keep up with her.

Do I hate Hermione Granger?

To be honest, he didn't know. In the beginning he taunted her because he was bred to do so, now he did it because she really just got on his nerves.

Hermione Granger had the same status as Pansy Parkinson.

Damn, now there's a revelation!

Since the moment their parents introduced each other, Pansy Parkinson had been nothing but a thorn he so desperately wanted out of his side. It had all but been determined Pansy Parkinson would become Pansy Malfoy, and that prospect filled him with never-ending dread.

So did he hate Hermione Granger? Not necessarily, but he wouldn't object never having to see her face again.

"I don't hate Granger, per sé; I just wish I never met her," he finally answered. He cast a furtive glance in her direction and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her grin.

"She is the cleverest witch in a century, though. I bet it burns you a Muggle-born student does so much better than the pure-blooded Draco Malfoy."

"Like hell it does! Doesn't help my father rubs it in every damn time he sees me, the bastard." He jumped a bit when he felt her small, warm hand grasp his own.

"You're not a substitute, Draco, not for me."

He stopped walking and faced her, cupping her cheek softly. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."

She lifted her hand to grasp the one that was on her face. "I mean it, Draco. I see it in your eyes, this constant fear of not being good enough, that you're not worthy or something. You are, for me anyway. Will that be enough?"

He had to kiss her, or he'd die. He crashed his mouth to hers then immediately softened the contact, worshipping her as his personal goddess, which to him she was. He didn't deserve her, that much he knew, but he thanked whatever god necessary that Virginia Weasley thought him worthy of her affections. She was definitely worth his.

He pulled away slowly. "I hope you realize I still won't make nice to the bratty Dream Team, don't you?"

"If you did, I'd be worried you weren't my Dragon." She grinned.

"I don't get you, Virginia."

"To be honest, they give as good as they receive. It's not my place to get in your issues. My only wish is you keep it to my brother and not my family. Though we are family, Ron is a special, special member of it." She smirked.

"I think you're the special one," he said sincerely.

She blushed slightly. "Uh, I think we should continue with the patrol, hmm?" She moved away from him and started to walk. Draco wanted to hold her hand, but he realized that wasn't appropriate for what they were doing. They passed the rest of their shift in relative silence, only speaking to those out past curfew or those who were lost. It was a relatively quiet night, and for that Draco was thankful.

Finally their shifted ended, and they headed back to the main stairs. Ginny leaned against the banister slowly.

"Nice night for a stroll, wasn't it?"

A corner of his mouth lifted at her corny attempt. "If you could call it that . . ."

She looked up the stairs then back at him. "It's a lonely walk to my tower . . ."

He grinned fully. "Want me to walk you there?"

"Please."

This time he held her hand, linking his fingers between hers. She squeezed his hand, and they began up the stairs. They had just reached the sixth landing when the stairs shifted.

"Shit."

Draco would've laughed if the staircase didn't lead them to a very dark corridor.

"Lumos."

The light was insufficient, painfully so, and he grasped her hand tighter to keep her near him.

"Do you have any idea where we are?" he asked.

"Not a clue."

He glanced back and noticed the stairs no longer connected to the landing.

They were trapped.

"Stay close to me, then," he commanded. She moved closer to him, and he felt her chest at his arm. Had this been any other time he would've acted accordingly--thrown her against the wall and attempted to have his way with her--but now was a far more serious instance. The odd part about the corridor was there were no doors except for one at the end of it. A stream of red light came from it, and he felt nervous. Apparently so did Ginny because her grip on his hand tightened even more.

"This was not part of our patrolling duties," she muttered. Draco kissed her temple to ease her nerves, and Ginny sighed.

"You're the Gryffindor! Where's your courage?"

"If I didn't have any courage, I would've been blubbering by now!"

Draco chuckled. He knew she was scared out of her wits, but the Gryffindor in her wouldn't let that deter her from discovering what was behind that door.

He loved her even more for it.

"Shit!"

"What's wrong Draco?! Are you hurt?"

He closed his eyes at the feel of her cool hands on his face. His mother was right; he loved the youngest Weasley.

It scared him to death.

"I'm fine, Ginger, I promise."

He opened his eyes, and they locked to hers again. They reminded him so much of the woman from his dreams, of Nephthys . . .

"Bloody hell!"

"What is wrong with you?!"

"Nothing! Nothing's wrong!"

"People don't curse when nothing's wrong, Draco!"

He ignored her accurate comment and continued to walk down the corridor. Finally they reached the door. No one touched it.

Suddenly an ethereal voice sounded from behind the door.

"Come inside, you two. We've been waiting . . ."