When Your Parents Tell You Bedtime Stories

16

Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light somewhere nearby.

~ Ruth E. Renkei

When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly.

~ Patrick Overton

Blaise Zabini smiled. He had his 'daughter' exactly where he wanted her. And the best part was; he hardly had to work to get things that way. "You'll feel a lot of movement and grabbing during the spell, and you'll actually feel very weird," he explained calmly. "Just keep your eyes closed and concentrate on keeping your mind clear."

Persephone nodded eagerly and closed her eyes. A thought had occurred to her sometime after Blaise had mentioned his small doubt in being her father. Maybe Draco Malfoy really was her father. Persephone's heart rose. This spell would determine it. No matter what happened she had to keep her eyes closed.

A sudden tugging, almost like hands, began below her stomach, causing her to almost pry open and see what was going on, but she didn't. A tingle went halfway down her legs as though something was being slid along them, and she pressed her eyes tightly together. The spell must finish. More pulling, sliding, and shivering occurred before there was a pause in activity.

Just when Persephone was ready to open her eyes, something happened. A very painful sensation spread through her causing her to cry out. That was suddenly when she realized there was no spell. But still, Persephone did not open her eyes. It seemed, as horrifying thoughts filled her mind, she didn't know how to anymore.

Blaise Zabini had clambered onto the desk and put his legs on either side of the young girl's midsection. Then, undoing the trousers he pulled out his manliness and lowered it into her, closing his eyes and listening to her cry out in pain. Blaise hadn't been satisfied since Hermione Granger, and he knew no woman would ever have him. The odd this was, the same pleasure spread through Blaise with Persephone, the small awkward creature below him, as it had with Hermione all those years ago. And it thrilled him, bringing the memories rushing back. The cry was the same; the innocence was...not quite the same.

Persephone squeezed her eyes tighter, tears leaking out of the corners. She clenched her hands into fists, digging her fingernails into her palms, and tried to ignore the pain and the man on top of her moved within her, exploring her. For the first time in her whole life, as she had always been told that Malfoy's don't cry, Persephone cried.

******

Persephone was asleep when Blaise Zabini brought her back to the small room, and he assured Mirach that she was fine. Sitting against the wall, lost in thought, hours later, Persephone awoke. Mirach hurried over to her as she sat up softly moaning.

"Are you alright, Persephone?" Mirach asked using her first name.

Persephone nodded duly, the pain having the same effect on her as a drug. She shifted and nearly cried out. She sighed and leaned against Mirach.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Mirach asked helping her scoot back up to the wall so she could lean back against it. It didn't take Mirach Achernar long before he figured it out. "Oh...please tell me he didn't?" he practically whispered.

Persephone finally opened her eyes and looked at him, nodding weakly. They sat there in silence for a few minutes before she spoke, "I'm fine, Mirach, really."

The boy looked up, startled. "You called me Mirach."

"Well, that is your name isn't it?" Persephone asked glad for the lighter mood. Mirach nodded and then moved over to her. "What?" she asked alarmed.

"My father's a healer," Mirach assured her. "I'm just going to make sure you're okay."

"Will you tell all your Gryffindor friends about this?" Persephone asked hanging her head and letting him inspect her.

Mirach looked up into her face. "Not a soul."

********

"Malfoy," Harry said, breaking the silence as the men walked the few blocks to Zabini's residence. "Did Hermione ever have the chance to tell you she loved you? I never knew what went on between you two before she...."

"No, Potter," Draco said trying to fight back the invading memories of that day. "I told her I loved her." Harry looked up at his words.

"She did love you," Harry reassured him, though he wasn't sure why he felt he needed to. "She told me once."

"She did?"

Harry nodded. "There's something I should probably tell you...." Harry started, his guilt winning over his secretive silence.

"This is it," Draco said, cutting Potter off and nodding to a beaten up house. Harry nodded and the two headed for the door, and whatever Harry had to say was forgotten."