La Paz del Mundo

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August 6, 2005

5:45 am

Kate sat out on the balcony of their condo, watching the sunrise over the ocean. It was the only time of the day when sunlight was actually enjoyable. She closed her eyes, and tipped her head towards the sun, trying to soak it all in. She didn't even hear Matt come up behind her; she jumped when his hands landed on her hips.

"Morning, babe."

"Hey."

Matt put his head on Kate's shoulder and watched the sunrise together. She looked at peace for once... Maybe this was the wrong time to broach the subject, but what the hell...

"Kate, have you thought about-,"

She sighed and pulled away from him. He knew he shouldn't have brought it up now.

"Matt, would you like some breakfast? There's some jamón and fresh rolls in the kitchen, and I think that Adonis ran out for bananas last night..."

Kate went for the sliding glass door to make her way back into the kitchen, but not before Matt grabbed her forearm and pulled her in front of him, pressing her back against the guard rail. "Kate, I asked your father for permission before we left, and I asked you a month ago, and I still haven't gotten an answer."

"And you expect one when you have a guard rail digging into my back? Wonderful way to treat your fiancé, isn't it?"

"Yeah, well... Wait, did you just say what I thought you did?"

"That depends. You haven't been in the 'shrooms again, have you?" She felt his head as if checking for a fever.

Matt leaned close and rested hs forehead against hers. "I love it when you play doctor..." He kissed her nose, smiling when she giggled.

"I have a secret..."

"What?"

"I like it when you let me play doctor, too." Kate gave him a kiss on the nose, smiled, and rested her forehead on his shoulder.

"So, this is it, huh? We're gonna do this?"

"I told you yes, didn't I?"

"So, when are we gonna tell everyone?"

"When we get home."

"Why then? Why not now?"

"Because, we're gonna do this by the book. First, we have to tell our families and Victoria of course, and then I have to clear it with my agent and publicist. Not that they have much say in the matter, but I do need to tell them. And it will end up in the press. You know that, right?"

Matt looked alarmed for a minute. It had always been a deal of theirs that she would keep him out of the spotlight.

"Boyfriend to husband is a big change. I guess that could change too."

She gave him a sweet smile. "Thank you. You're a god."

He pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "I think you told me last night."

"You're the god of all things evil, but a god none the less." She pulled away and went inside. "Harlequin?"

"Yes?" Harlequin came in, speaking nearly perfect English. Matt looked at Kate, seemingly asking what was going on. She shook her head to tell him that he'd find out later.

"Harlequin, how were you planning on spending your day?"

"I wasn't sure, Ms. Morgan..."

"What have I told you about that? I thought I asked you to call me Kate?"

"Yes, Kate." She blushed; Harlequin was a woman who wasn't used to being treated as an equal.

"Did Dani talk to you last night?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"She told me about why you're here." The younger woman had been looking down at the floor the whole time. But now, she met Kate's eyes, and she looked none too happy. "Kate, they're my family-"

"I understand. I would never want to believe something bad about my family. But, please hear me out-"

"I heard Dani out, Kate. You never let me finish. They're the only family I've ever known, but that doesn't mean they treated me well. I thought that was love, but its not-"

"Harlequin, wait, please? Everyone should hear this. Don't you think your brother has a right to know how you were treated for sixteen years?"

She just nodded.

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"I thought what they gave me was love. The eldest Malfoys gave me enough to get buy. Two meals a day, unlimited bathroom privileges and all the water I could ever want. It wouldn't have been that bad, considering I could have been completely on my own; in fact, I probably wouldn't be living. Master Malfoy pounded the story into my head as soon as I could remember. The day my-" She caught Harry's gaze, and held it. "The day our parents died, nobody even knew that Mom was pregnant with me. She was barely into the fifth month, and wasn't showing yet; they figure only she and Dad had any idea. When they came for them that night, after he had killed Mom for trying to save you, Harry, he fled. Malfoy..." Harlequin closed her eyes and swallowed hard. "Malfoy worked quickly. He did some kind of scan on our mom and found me. He was able to save me, and with magic, transplant me into the womb of his own wife." She met all of their eyes. "I was a Potter born from the womb of a Malfoy. But instead of becoming their son's beloved sister, I was shipped off to Seville, to live with a man who called himself Riddle. He wore a turban and talked to himself. One day, he just up and left; I was never told where he was going. Had he stayed, I may have been a happier child. He wasn't the best man for the job of raising me, but he kept me fed, gave me toys, read to me and tucked me in at night. Anyway, I was shipped off to the Malfoys. I was miserable. I only spoke Spanish, and they never spoke English to me; I never learned anything until last year. I have a suspicion that Draco's father wouldn't let him talk to me, and he taught me anyway. He was always half way decent to me. His family always treated me as if I were invisible; he treated me like dirt."

Harry looked puzzled and angry at the same time. This was a sister he barely knew, but his sister all the same. "Harlequin, how can you say that? How is being treated like dirt any better than being ignored?"

She gave him a small sad smile. "Brother, at least dirt is seen and acknowledged." A small tear escaped from her eye as Harry went to hug her. He whispered in her ear, trying to comfort her.

"It's okay... You're with family now. Nothing is gonna happen to you..."

When she pulled away from him, her eyes met Kate's. The redhead was practically glowing with contempt for Draco Malfoy.

"Harlequin, are you ready to take your life back?"

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