Enlightened Future

Enlightened Future: Chapter 3- It Was Just a Kiss

It was early Saturday morning and summer vacation was drawing near. Harry sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Hermione sat on his left, leaning across the table and forcing Neville Longbottom to work on his Arithmancy. She pointed at the parchment, giving a thorough explanation of the practical applications for each problem. Neville was still very confused and looked as if he wanted to run away. Ron sat on Harry's right with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, who were animatedly gesturing over a Quidditch play. The rest of Harry's classmates were talking quietly and passing trays of food back and forth. Harry glanced over at the other tables: the Ravenclaws were reading, the Hufflepuffs were laughing, and the Slytherins were glaring at everyone else.

Draco Malfoy and his gang strode through the large wooden doors. He was flanked by his thugs, Crabbe and Goyle, and a trio of laughing girls followed close behind. Blaise Zabini spotted them and leapt from his seat at the table. He slipped his arm through Malfoy's arm and began to gossip away about something. Harry saw Malfoy peel Zabini's fingers from his sleeve and look behind him, sending the tallest of the three girls a plea for help. The girl just shrugged and turned back to her conversation with her friends who were now snickering at the situation. The Slytherins sat down at their table. The tall girl sat on Malfoy's right, Zabini on his left (at which Malfoy grimaced), and Crabbe and Goyle across the table.

Harry had never really noticed the tall Slytherin girl before. She had light brown hair that brushed her jaw lightly and wore little rectangular spectacles with gold frames. He watched as she swatted away Goyle's hand. The lout was apparently attempting to steal her platter of chocolate scones. Harry was so engrossed in his observation of Alethea's behavior that nearly jumped when the pleasant buzz of conversation was interrupted by Draco Malfoy, barking at no one in particular.

"What is this?" Malfoy yelled, spitting out a mouthful of his coffee. "This is not real coffee, this is charmed dishwater! It is revolting! Those bloody house elves don't know how to do a damn thing. They need to learn proper discipline. If they were my elves they would feel my boot on their..."

"Calm down Draco. For fuck's sake you'll never get anything that way. Watch and learn my foolish boy," said the brunette. "Oh, table! Would you be so kind as to bring us two cups of real coffee with a hint of cinnamon? I am afraid that the elves have not done their job properly. I might even have to report them to the Headmaster, and we wouldn't want that now would we." Her tone was sickeningly sweet.

The desired coffee instantly appeared on the table. Malfoy picked up his cup and took a small sip. A satisfied smile appeared on his lips and he took a large gulp of the warm liquid. Alethea preened and drank her beverage.

"Perfect my dear, Alethea. You are the most charming blackmailer I know. Even father does not compare to you. He's too harsh." He kissed Alethea's hand in gratitude. Harry strained to hear what they were saying.

"Why Draco, I thought he would have taught you that it blackmail is the only way to get what you want. I mean he covered how to collect information for blackmail. How could he not teach you how to use it?" Alethea looked mildly offended.

"Don't go there. You know not to touch that subject," snapped Malfoy icily. Harry was puzzled. Why was that so taboo?

"You're right. I'm sorry. So looking forward to the game?" she said quickly changing the subject.

The conversation turned to the mundane and Harry looked down at his plate to discover that his eggs and toast had gone cold and were now a little on the rubbery side. He ate them anyway, nearly choking on the last of his toast. Still, he had to admit that cold Hogwarts food was better than the scraps at the Dursley's.

Hermione finished lecturing Neville and looked back at Harry who was staring morosely at his plate. She noticed that he had spent most of breakfast looking at the Slytherin table. It was odd behavior for Harry. Usually he just pretended that that the Slytherins did not exist until they entered his personal space. Something was wrong.

"Harry, what is it? You've been watching the Slytherins all morning. Are they plotting something?" questioned Hermione.

"It's nothing," he mumbled.

"Harry, it's not 'nothing'. I know you better than that. Something is most certainly wrong. You know that you can tell me right?" Harry responded with a non-committal grumble. He looked towards the Slytherin table again.

Malfoy and Alethea picked up their cups of coffee and made a toast. They sipped slowly and smiled at each other. Malfoy said something and Alethea laughed a little behind her napkin. The blond Slytherin looked across the room and met Harry's green eyes with his grey ones, gaze steady.

Harry looked mildly surprised. The last time he and Malfoy had looked at each other, the blond boy had paled and turned away. Now, a faint smirk was on the Slytherin's lips and his eyes were daring Harry to look away. Harry refused to give Malfoy the pleasure of thinking him a coward, and looked straight at the other boy. He watched Malfoy's eyes change colors from that of antique silver to sharp and polished steel. Long dark lashes framed them delicately. A lock of silvery blond hair fell by Malfoy's right eye, and was pushed away by an impeccably manicured hand without breaking his gaze.

Harry's breath was stolen by the handsome Slytherin who he was staring at. He was sure that his heart was beating so loudly that the entire Great Hall could hear it. A fierce blush crept across his cheeks and he bit his lip slightly. Just then he noticed the small smirk on Malfoy's thin rosy lips turn into an all-out smile and the pale eyebrows rise. Harry was nearly blown over by the force of that smile and almost fell off his bench.

Malfoy then turned away from Harry and whispered something in Blaise Zabini's ear. The other Slytherin laughed and hit Malfoy lightly on the arm. The moment was over and Harry felt completely exhausted.

He took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes. He tried to slow his racing heart and cool the flush on his cheeks. After a few deep breaths he sat up straight and looked at Hermione who was wringing her hands and frowning. Her entire body was tense and she looked worried. Ron was staring at him too. Harry only prayed that he looked composed although his brain was clouded with thoughts of Malfoy's handsome face, and eyes that dared Harry to slam him against a wall. Harry refused to think about what he wanted to do to Malfoy once he had him pressed against that wall. He shook his head to get himself to think straight (all puns intended).

"What's wrong Harry?" asked Ron. "You look like you've been hit by a Bludger, or snogged out of your mind."

Harry thought of Malfoy's lips and what it would be like to kiss them. He turned a deeper shade of red and looked away.

"Bloody hell, I was right! Who's the lucky girl, Harry?" asked Ron with enthusiasm.

"Ron, you have no tact," scolded Hermione, "But you do have a point. I think Harry fancies somebody. Somebody at the Slytherin table." Hermione looked pointedly at Harry. Ron took the hint and scanned the Slytherin table.

"Now, I have no idea who Harry fancies, but Malfoy has his tongue buried down Zabini's throat as we speak. That's so disgusting," laughed Ron. Harry looked up to see the two Slytherins snogging in full view of everybody.

Harry clenched his fists and his green gaze turned to one of revulsion. How dare Zabini kiss him like that! And why the hell is Malfoy enjoying it? He stopped himself before he let out a low and very angry growl. Oh great, now I'm jealous because Malfoy is kissing some Slytherin trash. What's wrong with me? It's not like I fancy him or anything, right? Right? Damn.

Harry stood up with his hands balled into fists at his sides. Ron put a hand on his shoulder but Harry shrugged off the gesture angrily. Ron was startled and yelled out to Harry as he began to walk towards the door. "Harry, what the hell is wrong with you? It was just two Slytherin queers putting on a show and exchanging saliva."

"Thank you for putting it so eloquently Ron," said Harry, his voice thick with sarcasm. "What's wrong with being gay anyway? Look, I'm going back to the dormitory. I really have no desire to watch Malfoy snog some guy."

"There is nothing wrong with being gay," said Hermione, looking at Ron unhappily. "We'll come get you for the Ravenclaw-Slytherin match this afternoon."

"Besides," said Ron happily, his mood shifting, "The Ravenclaws will crush Malfoy into tiny pieces on the pitch. I doubt he'll be alive for the final match with us next month."

"Yeah, I sure hope so!" said Seamus with enthusiasm.

Harry smiled at the familiar anti-Slytherin sentiments that followed, and walked to the doors in search of a quiet place to think and a cold shower. Draco's stare had been so intense and the kiss was hot, even though it was with Zabini. 'No. That kiss was not hot. It was disgusting. You are not gay. Repeat that now Harry. You are not gay.' Then why, pray tell, did he need a cold shower?

Meanwhile, at the Slytherin table, Malfoy pulled away from an incredibly dazed Blaise, with an evil and seductive smile on his face. He looked over to the Gryffindor table to see that Harry was not watching him. 'Bugger,' he thought unhappily.

Alethea grabbed Draco by his shirt collar and pulled him out of his seat. "Out. Now. No arguments. Got me?" she snarled into his ear.

Draco only smirked and caressed Blaise's jaw. "Next time, love," he said smoothly with a playful wink. Alethea looked as if she were going to be sick and Blaise nearly fainted. Alethea had seen enough of Malfoy's antics and forcefully propelled him towards the door of the Great Hall.

Alethea shoved Draco hard and he ran right into Harry Potter. The Slytherin's eyes brightened and he stood up close to his Gryffindor rival. "Like the little show, Potter?" he asked, his voice a seductive purr. "You know you did. Don't worry, the castle never runs out of cold water," he added with a raised eyebrow and a quick glance down to Harry's crotch.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake" groaned Alethea. "Get your arse out the door Malfoy." He complied with a taunting glance back at Harry. The Gryffindor had his teeth clenched and his fingernails were digging into his palms in an effort not to cause Malfoy any harm, be it with a punch or a very forceful ravishing.

"I'm so sorry about that," said Alethea. "Stupid prick, Draco," she mumbled under her breath. "Look, my name is Alethea Florecer. Don't worry about killing Draco, that's my job. Send me an owl, you and I are going to have to be good friends sooner rather than later. You have questions, as I said, owl me," she said very, very quickly as she walked out the door to scream at Draco.

Harry was completely confused and decided that what he needed was not a cold shower but a pain relieving charm for headache. He had gotten the distinct feeling that Alethea knew something that she was not willing to tell him. With a shake of his head he stormed off Gryffindor dormitories.

Alethea slammed the door of the unused Charms classroom and immediately began to rant. "Draco, you little prick! What, by the great Merlin, did you think you were doing? I mean trying to make Potter jealous is one thing, but kissing by Blaise! That's just plain disgusting! You have no idea where his tongue has been, and I'm not going to waste my time finding out." She shuddered involuntarily.

"Oh please, spare me this feeble attempt to make me regret kissing Zabini," Draco drawled with a hint of disgust. "Besides," he added haughtily with his hand s on his hips, "it worked didn't it? Potter has a little problem that requires a cold shower and he's ready to kill me. Hate is an emotion I can bend and twist into lust. His usual indifference is worthless to me. You said yourself that we would be together. I'm just helping things along," said Draco with his usual smirk.

Alethea went pale and looked worried. She began to pace and bite her lower lip. Her brow was creased in a frown and she wrung her hands nervously. "Damn it!" she cursed under her breath. "I should've fucking known this would happen. It's all my bloody fault. Damn it all to hell!" She whirled on Draco, black robes flying.

"Alethea, what is it? What's wrong? What have I done now?" snapped Draco.

"I should never have told you about the future," she said with a touch of despair. Draco looked very confused.

"You see," she began, "there's this thing called The Code of The Oracle. Well, it's more of a fundamental law of the actual process of divining. We can see the future but we are not allowed to act against it ourselves. If we reveal the future to others, they can't act against it either. We have to live life as if we had no knowledge of the future at all. If any action is taken against fate, the future alters, maybe a little, maybe a lot. It depends on how much people try to change it. The thing is though, it never does what one wants it to, and it's always a change you won't expect. The other 'clause', if you will, is that the diviner who revealed the future in the first place will be unable to see the action against fate or the changes until they happen. It's punishment for abusing the gift." Alethea took a deep breath. Draco looked pensive. He pressed the back of his hand to his pursed lips.

"May I say that you presented that like a Ministry official? So you're saying that when I snogged Zabini to make Harry- oh, bugger it Potter- jealous, I changed our future because I snogged with the knowledge that no matter what I do Harry and I will still be together?" Draco looked dubious, but he knew better than to doubt Alethea's word.

"That's exactly what I've been saying! And now we've fucked it all up. I'm completely lost on this. I'm frightened Draco. I had no idea that you were going to kiss Zabini. None at all! Now I don't know what's going to happen with you and Potter. I can't fucking see the future anymore you bastard!" Alethea shrieked pounding his chest with her fists. She collapsed into his arms and breathed raggedly.

Draco put is arms around her in a warm embrace. He was beginning to realize what he had done. 'I'm such a fucking idiot.' He continued to mentally scream at himself. Alethea knew what he was thinking and hugged him tighter, shivering violently.

Draco was slightly shaken. Alethea was always strong, always helping him, and not even flinching when he hurt her. He thought of the previous night and the horrid bruise on her cheek that she had charmed away this morning.

"You two have to patch this up soon. There are some bad things going on right now. I'm really scared. I saw something and this whole mess with Potter is connected. I have no idea how, but it is. I just don't know what I'm going to do if I can't see what's going to happen. I can't do anything about it but at least I can be prepared for what ever it is I saw." Her voice was calm but she was no where near composed.

Alethea shuddered in Draco's arms and held his slender waist tightly, taking deep breaths to steady herself. Draco's usual cologne of peppermint and black pepper filled her senses and calmed her. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes but refused to flow. As a soothsayer she saw horrible things, even the end of the world. Her first divination teacher taught her that she had to detach herself from her emotions if she wanted to stay sane and not go off to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies on the nearest broom.

"Are you ok now?" Draco asked softly, kissing her hair. Alethea pulled away from him and cleaned her glasses on her robes. She put them back on her face carefully. She smiled the smallest smile and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks. We'd better go. You said you wanted to practice for the Ravenclaw match with Cynthia and Emilie this morning didn't you?" Alethea's voice was soft and quiet. Her emotions were contained again but she was tired. Draco nodded in agreement.

"I'll even get the old Quidditch rule book out and make a list of all the fouls you try on each other. For each one you commit that I don't see I buy you a Butterbeer. What do you say?" Her eyes sparkled and she looked a Draco expectantly. He thought she looked like a little girl asking her father to take her to the fair.

"What do you think I am, woman? Daft? Of course I'm in for it! No cheating in your part, love. I want this to be a fair game." He smiled wickedly.

"What? Draco Malfoy? Fair game? Scruples? I think I might faint from shock." Alethea swooned melodramatically.

The two walked out of the Charms classroom, smiling and joking as usual, and went to the Slytherin dungeons to get ready for their private practice. Alethea had booked the pitch in advance for them. She went to her trunk at the foot of her bed and took out a Pensive.

"I hope I'm not punished for putting my vision in here. No one will ever see it but me. I'm missing something, I know it." She sobbed. "Draco, why the hell did you do this to me?" Alethea collapsed on her bed and for the first time in ten years, shed one crystal tear.