Goodnight Sweet Girl

Three: The Disappearance of Draco Malfoy

Draco sighed as he recognized the setting around him. He was by the lake and the Forbidden Forest and he was facing someone, a young man with messy dark hair, a young man he knew. Draco looked down and recognized the body, he was the girl from all of his other dreams. He looked at the back of the boy and suddenly words were tumbling out of his mouth.

"I never lied to you. I just wasn't brave enough to tell you until now. How would you have felt? Look at me. I've only been like this for a few months."

"You should have told me. I already suspected it. You knew too much about him, acted too much like him. If you would have told me then maybe this would be different between us," the young man said, but still he would not turn around.

Draco stood up in anger, but that quickly subsided as he put his hand, the girl's hand, on the young man's shoulder. "I didn't want your pity, Potter. What would you have thought? The once proud Malfoy brought down so low. I was left with nothing, and my own father wanted to kill me. What would you have done?"

"I don't know," Harry answered.

"Exactly," Draco said in that cool elemental voice of his. "You don't know. You would have remembered me for what you thought I was and you would have pitied me. You never knew me until this happened. Isn't that a laugh? I had to become something completely different from what I had been for the past eighteen years of my life to get what I most wanted. And it didn't even turn out right."

"What did you most want?" Harry asked.

A small dry left Draco's lips. "I thought it was freedom, but that's a joke. People move from one confinement to the next, because I wanted love too, and love can trap you. Love can break you. It can make you strong and weak. Go, Harry, you're free to do what you want. Forget me, be done with me, and live your life."

Harry didn't even turn around. He took one step, and then slowly another, until he was briskly walking away. Then Draco felt a presence behind him. He slowly turned around and faced himself, himself as he used to be, the boy, the handsome young man. He looked up at his old self and saw it not as real, but as a reflection, something to be altered.

The reflection spoke, "Wishes do not always makes things easy. You are given these dreams in hopes that you may alter your destiny. If you wish to love, hold nothing back. Let your soul be seen by him. You are no longer weak, and know this, emotions do not make you weak. Do not let him go, if he is what you really want."

"I've only known him for barely a day in this new body. Love takes time," Draco said.

The reflection chuckled, and Draco found that he missed his old laugh. "You have had six and a half years of knowing him in this body, and you know love for him. Emotions have always run strong between you two, but they have been mistaken for animosity. Do not be afraid. And do not turn away."

"Turn away from what?" Draco asked.

The reflection smiled, Draco missed that smile; he missed a lot of things about his old body. "Your heart. Use what you have been given. And remember boy, love is freedom, not confinement."

Suddenly Draco was pulled from the dream as he was bounced into the air by a force unknown to him. His eyes burst open and the first thing he saw was red hair, blue eyes, and a wide Weasley grin. A scream suddenly burst forth from his lips and filled the room. A few minutes later the Weasley was snatched from behind and Harry was apologizing profusely on behalf of his ill-mannered friend.

"Bloody hell, what was that all about?" Draco snapped and then he was out of bed, pulled his fist back and decked Ron a good one, to which Ron immediately found himself unconscious.

Harry looked at the delicate looking girl that had just decked his best friend, and then back at the unconscious Ron now laid out on the floor. Harry ran his tongue nervously over his lips and looked at the strange girl.

"I guess he had that coming. I told him you probably didn't want a wake up call, but does he listen..." Harry trailed off as he finally took in what the girl was wearing, it was a light silk lavender nightgown, almost see-through. Harry's mouth fell open.

Draco raised an eyebrow at Harry and then noticed the chill in the air. Heat rose to his cheeks as he said, "Oh hell, drag him out of here, so I can get dressed and then I'll help you carry the prat to the infirmary. Well out with you. And what are you doing coming into the girls' dormitory to wake me up? You had no idea what exactly I slept in! Honestly, never a thought passes between thick skulls."

"It was his idea!" Harry snapped and Draco smiled as he noted the color in the dark haired boy's face.

"Out! Out, damn Spot. Out I say. I have no intentions of undressing and dressing in front of the famous Harry Potter and his unconscious sidekick, and he could be playing this off to chance a peak!"

Harry rolled his eyes, hefted up the dead weight of his unconscious best friend and left the girls' dorm. Draco quickly tore through his trunk, coming across a green cashmere sweater and a knee length black skirt.

"Bloody hell! Are they all knee length?!" He complained and then he noticed a collection of bras and panties. "How bloody humiliating!"

Draco warded the door and then quickly dressed, having a bit of trouble with the bra, but finally getting it on properly. He gazed into the full-length mirror and noticed his current 'perkiness'. He smiled to himself and hefted his new cleavage.

"So that's what those things are for!" He said with laugh.

Then he put on a pair of below the knee socks, his boots that Madame Pomfrey had altered, and then he pulled on the cloak Severus had give him. No sense in freezing anything off...

Draco then removed the wards from the door, found his toothbrush in his trunk and ran off to the bathroom where he quickly remedied his morning breath. By that time Ron was already coming around with the beginnings of a nice black eye and both boys looked up as Draco descended the stairs and entered the common room. Ron's mouth of course was hanging open and the poor boy was practically drooling. Amazingly enough the boy had been a smooth operator at attracting girls since sixth year, but now he was acting like his old gawky fourth year self in the presence of Draco. Harry sighed and thought back to Ron's 'fascination' with Fleur Delacour.

"Wow, you look..." Ron couldn't finish and then he noticed the colors she was wearing, a look of disappointment on his face. "You're wearing Slytherin colors."

"I happen to like black and green, and besides, Uncle Sev is responsible for my current wardrobe. I assure you that when I come about a reasonable purse I will buy some bloody trousers and perhaps a skirt or two of reasonable length, or perhaps I could do some transfiguration to my wardrobe," Draco said with a sneer of disdain.

"And hide those legs?" Ron asked incredulously and then blushed. "Sorry, but I was only pointing out a tragedy."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Really, I feel so short. I used to be so tall and now look at me! I'm a bleedin dwarf!"

"You're taller than most girls, and you do have fabulous legs. Ron can spot them. You wouldn't be related to a Veela would you?" Harry asked.

Ron turned to gape at Harry's question and then turned to Draco expectant of an answer.

Draco shook his head. "No, just the result of good and careful breeding. My father was careful in choosing his bride. He expected to produce an heir of beauty and poise to be his shadow. Alas I was his disappointment."

"Disappointment?" Ron's eyes widened in shock, at least as much as the swollen left one could widen. "Your father must have been out of his bloody mind! You're, well have you seen a mirror?"

"Yes," Draco said and then added under his breath, "And the reflection has changed."

"How so?" Harry asked.

"What?"

"How has your reflection changed?"

Ron looked as though he missed something. Draco looked up and with a quick thought said, "I'm just not the same person I used to be. I mean, look at me. Who would have ever thought the great Harry Potter and Weasley Extraordinaire would take me under their wing."

"There you go again. I'm Ron; he's just Harry, and you really put yourself down. Chin up, your dad's a bastard and all that, now anyone up for breakfast?" Ron said and then rubbed his stomach suggestively.

"Bottomless pit aye, Ron?" Draco asked and then nearly jumped when Harry and Ron flanked him, hitching their arms about his shoulders in camaraderie. Harry and Ron began to talk and joke about things, and they started telling him about Granger, to which he laughed, joked, and talked with them. So this is what it's like to have friends. How much of life have I missed out on? Draco thought to himself as they sat down at the Gryffindor table and dug into the eggs and bacon that appeared.

The atmosphere was friendly between Ron, Harry, and 'Diana' as the week progressed, and then the news came that students were returning and the holiday was over. Draco almost dreaded school starting up again. Could he still be friends with Potter and Weasley? What were Dumbledore and Snape going to say about his absence? What was his father planning? Still every time he started thinking of something less than pleasant Harry and Ron showed up to talk and just be in his company.

Then other thoughts began to surface. Granger was going to come back. Would she discover the truth? What would Harry and Ron think with Granger back, and what would Harry think when he discovered the truth about 'Diana'? Harry was not stupid and Draco had already slipped up a few times. Draco would just have to be more careful. At least he was allowed to be himself for once. There was no real animosity toward Harry or Ron, that had all been an act. Draco found that once he got past all the lies his father had taught him, that Harry and Ron were two very decent people. He was still hesitant where Granger was concerned however. Sometimes she could be too clever for her own good...

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The Hogwarts Express was due back today, and with it came the return of Granger into the lives of Harry and Ron. Draco was considerably nervous. Harry and Ron were going to the station to meet up with Granger and somehow Harry had managed to talk Draco into joining them. At Harry's request Dumbledore had given them permission to go. They took one of the carriages to the station and awaited the train. During the wait Ron seemed more jumpy than usual, to which Draco raised an eyebrow and then caught Harry's eyes.

Harry leaned down to whisper in Draco's ear, "I think he fancies 'Mione, but hasn't the guts to tell her yet. He's been like this about seeing her ever since fourth year, although he doesn't let on in front of her."

Draco nodded and gave a small snort of laughter. "Well, he certainly seems excited. Why hasn't he made a move yet? From what I heard he's been through most of the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw female population within dating age."

Harry gave him a funny look. "Malfoy told you about Ron's reputation?" Harry then noticed the look on the girl's face and how she shivered. He took off his cloak and put it around her. So she was now covered in her newly transfigured trousers a dark purple sweater, Snape's cloak, and Harry's. She had also grown rather fond of the boots that Madam Pomfrey had adjusted for her.

The girl looked up at Harry and flushed. "Thank you. You didn't have to. You must be cold and I already have a cloak."

"It's fine. I'll survive," Harry said.

"No," Draco said. "I insist, if you demand that I wear your cloak then you get under here with me and we'll share the warmth. Besides body heat is more effective anyway."

Draco opened the cloak in invitation and Harry shrugged and got under the cloak with the beautiful girl. Neither of them noticed the look that had passed over Ron's face as he watched the entire exchange. Harry always got the pretty ones first, but maybe, just maybe Ron had a chance with Hermione.

The train pulled into the station, Harry tried to extricate himself from the cloak, but 'Diana' wouldn't let him. Harry shook his head with a grin and snaked his arm around the girl's waist and together they made their way to watch as everyone stepped off of the train. Ron sidled up by Harry and looked at the pair beneath the cloaks and shook his head.

"I get distracted for just a bit and you two are cuddling? Can't turn about for a second!" Ron scolded playfully and then looked up anxiously as students began filing out of the train.

After a few minutes passed a familiar girl descended the steps of the train, but she looked different. She raced over to Ron and Harry and stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed Harry bundled up under his cloak with a girl. Her eyes widened and then she narrowed them at the girl, carefully noting the long silvery blonde hair, and sharp gray eyes. The girl in turn examined her.

Hermione was shocked to see Harry with someone. He hadn't really taken up much with dating, and yet there he was standing before her with a strange girl that she'd never seen before, but there was something familiar about the girl. She then looked at Ron and noticed that both Ron and Harry were giving her funny looks. Then she remembered how she'd been experimenting with permanent straightening charms on her hair, and finally found one that was successful. She spun around and let out a little laugh.

"So, guys do notice the little changes. Do you like it?" She asked.

Ron gaped for a few more minutes when Harry said, "You look gorgeous Mione. Oh, and this is Diana Marlowe. She's Hogwarts newest Gryffindor. She transferred here over the holiday, and Ron and I have taken her into the fold. Should be nice for you to have another girl to talk to. You probably get tired of all the Quidditch and Ron's oh so manly advice."

Hermione snorted. "Harry you haven't been listening to anymore of Ron's advice have you? Remember when Parvati slapped you? That had to be painful. And hello Diana, I'm sure you've heard all sorts of things about me. If it was anything bad they either made me do it or they were making it up. I'm Hermione."

Hermione extended her hand. Draco put a hand through the cloak and took Hermione's warm hand and shook it. He met her toffee colored eyes and felt warmth. She was being nice to him. He had been expecting her to take one look at him and immediately realize who he was, despite his sudden changes.

"Hello. I've heard many things about you, but not just from these two. Draco had a few things to say about you..." Draco blushed and then moved closer to Harry, feeling a chill run up his spine.

Hermione looked at the girl that had moved closer to her best friend, she'd noticed a look pass over the girl's face, and had she been talking about Draco Malfoy? Hermione pulled her cloak closer about her and the group headed toward a carriage. Once they were seated in the warmth of the carriage, Ron and Hermione on one side and Harry and 'Diana' sitting across for them, Hermione spoke up.

"Um... Diana?" Hermione began hesitantly and then continued more confidently when the girl looked up. "You mentioned that Draco had a few things to say about me. Would that be Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes," Draco said, "Draco and I were very close. Almost the same person really..."

"That's interesting. I read something about him in the Daily Prophet the other day. Most of what that paper writes about are lies, but this seemed to have a ring of truth to it..."

"What did you read?" Ron asked, and Harry noticed that Diana swallowed thickly.

Hermione looked at Diana and noticed that Harry had taken her hand. Hermione looked up and met the girl's cool gray eyes and could have sworn she was looking at Draco Malfoy. She shook herself and then answered Ron's question. "Well according to what I read, Draco Malfoy has been reported missing. His father had a few choice things to say about it. It seems that Malfoy had a few secrets and Lucius Malfoy lost his temper and then Draco suddenly disappeared. No one knows where he is. Lucius Malfoy has suggested questioning Snape on Draco's whereabouts, but Snape claims to know nothing, and then there is the question of the strange girl Lucius found in his son's bed on the day that Draco disappeared."

"They... Oh gods, they wrote about the girl? Was there anything else about her? Did they... Did my fa... Did Lucius say anything about the girl, anything strange?" Draco asked anxiously.

"According to the article Lucius Malfoy described her as looking extraordinary like Draco, and that her voice was enchanting, like her words took on the property of magic simply by being spoken from her mouth," Hermione said and then narrowed her eyes at 'Diana'. "You're the girl, aren't you, and did you almost call Lucius Malfoy 'father'?"

The color in the girl's face drained. Hermione had only known her for a span of a few minutes and had come to startling conclusions. Draco took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He turned to face Harry and then took Harry's face in his hands and kissed him. Harry didn't respond to the kiss at first, but soon gave in. Ron and Hermione looked at the strange girl. Ron completely oblivious and Hermione wondering what the hell was going on and thinking along the lines of the impossible... Could this strange girl, Diana Marlowe, be Draco Malfoy?

The girl finally let Harry up for air and then whispered, "I'm sorry Harry, but it's time for the truth as far as I'm allowed to tell. I've wanted to do that to you for nearly three years."

"What?" Harry and Ron asked at the same time and Harry finished suspiciously with, "But you've only known me for a week."

"It's time you know the truth, she warned me of this," Draco, the girl, said and then reached a hand beneath the neck of her sweater and produced what looked like moonstone clutched in the silver talon of a falcon. The pendant was on a delicate silver chain.