Elementals of Magic: Prophecy of Lies

Chapter 10

The Dryad Prince

In one fluid motion, Draco swung around and grabbed Blaise's collar, lifting him into midair.

"How do you take this curse off, Zabini?" he whispered in a deadly voice.

Blaise smirked.

"And why would I tell you that, Miss Malfoy?"

The change was evident. Pale blond hair now cascaded halfway down his back, and the face was much softer. Draco's voice was more high-pitched, like a girl's, and his chest had grown.

Draco looked back at Blaise, eyes cool as usual, not showing any emotion. Lucius had taught him that, too. Never let your enemies see your weaknesses, and emotion was definitely a weakness.

"Pansy, go and get my dagger out of my trunk," Draco said, not taking his eyes off of Blaise. It was well known that in Fourth Year, Pansy gave Draco an antique dagger for Christmas, and Draco always had it at Hogwarts. It was also well known that the dagger was as good as new, as Draco always made sure that it was in top condition.

Blaise felt his resolve crumble. He knew that Draco wasn't kidding when he asked Pansy to retrieve his dagger. Draco would kill him if he didn't tell. After all, the blond was a Malfoy, and Malfoys were known to be merciless.

"Okay, I'll tell," Blaise croaked out.

Draco smirked.

"Talk fast, Zabini, because if you don't tell me before Pansy comes back, the last thing you'll ever see is the end of my dagger."

Blaise gulped. This was not good.

"There's only one cure for this curse."

"And that would be?" Draco arched one eyebrow.

"To kiss the person you love."

Just then, Pansy came back with the dagger in hand. It had the Malfoy Crest on it, which meant that it must have been lost since it was not in Lucius's collection. The hilt was made of silver, with the Malfoy Crest engraved on it. A leather sheath enclosed the steel blade.

Draco carefully slid the dagger out of the sheath and held it tantalizingly in front of Blaise. The blade gleamed brightly, as if it had just come out of the forge.

"Blaise, tell me, do you think I should use this dagger on you?" Draco asked sweetly.

"I...I told you.....the....the way to cure....cure this curse," Blaise stammered.

The blond Slytherin swung the dagger in front of Blaise's eyes, then nicked his cheek with the sharp blade. Crimson blood started flowing down Blaise's cheek.

"This is a reminder to you. Never mess with a Malfoy."

The dagger was slid carefully back into the sheath, and Pansy took it back into the dorms. The whole of Slytherin House witnessed this and was once again reminded of the power, cruelty, and mercilessness of the Malfoys. They knew from past experience that Draco wasn't finished with Blaise, and they were correct.

***

After letting go of Blaise, who crumpled pitifully on the floor, Draco took hold of Pansy.

"We need to go see Dumbledore. Arrangements need to be made."

Pansy looked at him questioningly.

"But where is his office?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure someone does. Which professor do you think is the most likely to tell us?"

"Definitely not Kyon. I doubt any other Head of House would be much help to us. And that Hagrid certainly wouldn't help a Slytherin. Neither would any of the others. The only one that might even consider helping us would be Lupin."

"Then we'll have to see Lupin."

"Are you sure? I mean, what are you going to tell him?"

"This is what you have to say, Pansy. Leave everything else to me."

***

Draco knocked on Lupin's door. Moments later, the door opened, and Lupin's head peeked out.

"Professor Lupin, sir, Draco's cousin, Dracina Moore, has decided to transfer here. I know it's really spur of the moment, but do you think you could lead us to Professor Dumbledore's office?"

Lupin's eyes swept over Draco, then nodded.

***

Moments later, Pansy and Draco were in Dumbledore's office.

"Who is this you have with you, Miss Parkinson?"

"Professor, sir, this is Dracina Moore, Draco's cousin. She'll be staying with us for a while."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily.

"Quite a dilemma you got yourself into, eh, Mr. Malfoy?"

"How did you know, Professor?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Mr. Malfoy, you'll stay in Slytherin. No doubt all your Housemates know what happened. To the rest of the school, you'll be gone for several months, and Miss Dracina Moore has come to take your place. However, your dilemma needs to be solved by the second contest, or else, you will be disqualified from the Founders' Pride, and I'm sure you wouldn't want that to happen."

Draco nodded.

"Thank you, Professor."

"No problem. Now, I suggest you go back to your common room. I'm sure that the party isn't halfway over yet."

***

Harry couldn't believe it. He was just one point behind Malfoy. One. If only he didn't stop and exchange all those meaningless lines with Malfoy. However, there's no way to change the past, so Harry vowed to do better.

None of the other Gryffindors seemed to be downtrodden. They were quite content with Harry in second place. After all, the slimy git Malfoy had forced Harry to show him, while Harry found it with help, not with use of force.

Ron had returned with loads of sweets, which he passed around to the Gryffindors. Harry found himself being asked to the All-Hollow's Eve Masquerade by quite a few girls, but he refused. Thank Merlin that the champions didn't have to go with partners.

There were only two months until the second contest, much shorter than the Triwizard Tournament. And the single-read parchment provided another problem. There had to be a spell that'll allow the words to transfer or something. Hermione was good with this, but Harry wasn't going to ask her. After all, he wasn't supposed to ask for help from anybody. But if he was really stuck, he would just ask her for a nice spell or something. As long as she didn't know. And if said correctly, he wouldn't be asking her to help him with the second contest.

***

Narcissa had written back with the most peculiar choice of words.

Draco, I truly have no idea as to your choice of costume for the All-Hollow's Eve Masquerade, though if you were a girl, I'd recommend dressing up as a dryad. Your complexion would complement the look perfectly. And as for Victoria, I haven't been in contact with her for more than seventeen years. She's also usually the one to contact me, so I do not know where she might be.

These were not the replies Draco wanted to hear. Unable to contact Victoria?! And Narcissa called herself cousin to Victoria. Laughable. And for going as a dryad, well, it would certainly suit him now, what with this form.

This was absolutely horrid, and Draco was sure that Slytherin Hosue was going to make Blaise pay if he doesn't return to his normal form by the second contest. After all, it would be that fool's fault for his disqualification.

But if anything, the cure was even worse. To kiss the one you love. Oh goody. Draco wasn't capable of loving anyone else, at least not in that way. As soon as Narcissa had convinced him to go to Hogwarts, Lucius had started the Malfoy Upbringing that every Malfoy goes through. And when it was done, Draco wasn't even sure if he had a soul anymore. The only thing that Lucius didn't squash out of him was his love for Narcissa. And the Slytherin almost didn't come back from the Malfoy Upbringing.

Draco was sure that he could kiss the whole population of Hogwarts, and he would still remain a girl. It was impossible for him to fall in love with anyone, much less someone at Hogwarts. Gryffindors were too bloody noble, Slytherins married for their own gain, Ravenclaws thought too highly of themselves, and Hufflepuffs were nothing but a bunch of dunderheads. Maybe Diggory wasn't, but exceptions were few and far in between.

And to think he could fall in love with someone at Hogwarts in two months. They might as well be asking him to defeat You-Know-Who, purge Lucius of ambition for power, and find a potion to cure lycanthropy on the side.

In short, Draco Malfoy was very likely going to be stuck like this for the rest of his life. Or her life.

***

He's slowly starting to find out about the truth, while the other is still shrouded in deception.

Victoria sighed. The final confrontation was growing nearer. And if the two pairs don't resolve their differences, then someone will surely die, and it won't be her. After all, she had been dead for what, about seventeen years?

Victoria laughed hollowly. Seventeen years since a part of the prophecy had been set off by her, more than nineteen years since Sirius Black stopped another part of the prophecy.

She was glad about what Morgan did. Personally, the woman was actually quite a good Witch, if a tad tense at times. But that was expected, given more than a millennium spent in an emerald and more than enough men chasing after her for their own gain.

But the famous Witch didn't have the fate of the world on her shoulders. Victoria still had her test to pass. And she had to pass on the magic to her son. So ignorant, the lot of them. Most of them only know about White and Dark Magic. The two most basic magics, and the two least powerful magics. To think, there were so many kinds of magic that would make any ordinary wizard's head spin.

Of course, the most powerful of all, Pure Magic. All the Firsts are Pure Magic. They'll only die when time and space are destroyed. Next, Creation Magic. Only able to be stopped by one method, which was in her book. Right underneath Creation Magic, God Magic.

Most magics had Light and Dark, just as White and Dark Magic were the Light and Dark Magics of Basic Magic. God Magic was divided into Ethereal Magic and Apocalypse Magic, again, Light and Dark.

God Magic was immediately followed by Power Magic and Ancient Magic.

Power Magic was divided into eight different kinds of magics, with Dragon Magic being the most powerful of them all. Closely following was Aether Magic, with the others as Air Magic, Water Magic, Fire Magic, Earth Magic, Metal Magic, and Wood Magic.

Of course, Ancient Magic also had magics underneath it. Chaos Magic and Primeval Magic, Dark and Light. Medieval Magic, the neutral one, and of course, the culture ones, African, Indian, American, Greek, Roman, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Aboriginal, and Amazonian. Not as powerful as Medieval Magic, but also neutral.

Underneath these two was Basic Magic, featuring the ever so lovely White and Dark Magic. Above them were Soul Magic, Mind Magic, and Heart Magic.

White and Dark Magic were the only magics that required a wand. All other magics were wandless. Many wizards couldn't master wandless magic, because for millenniums, wizards had been using wands. They didn't know how to focus their power without a tool to conduct it. Their magic had become weak. Now, only wizards that still had true magic running through their blood could harness wandless magic.

Victoria had mastered more than her share of these magics. Dragon Magic, of course, being who she was, also Chinese Magic, and all the Basic Magics. Not that it was enough.

No, Victoria knew for sure that the brother had already summoned the book of Apocalypse Magic and was now using it. And knowing all that was in no way enough. After all, only Ethereal Magic and above could defeat Apocalypse Magic, and if the last two slips through her fingers, then there won't be hope. But they won't. Firewind Dragon Prophecies have always come true.

***

Sunday morning found Dracina and Pansy cruising in Hogsmeade for a costume. Pansy had decided to go the Masquerade as a pixie, and they were now looking for a shop that would supply what they needed.

Most of the clothing shops supplied all manners of robes and muggle clothing, but nothing that they could use. Then, they stumbled upon a fairly new shop.

On the outside, there was a sign that said: Witchwear - Clothing For All Your Needs. The shop appeared as if it was just built, there wasn't any sign of decay nor any matter of grime nor dirt anywhere. In the display case, there were several dress robes. One, a midnight blue with diamonds sewn randomly on that resembled the night time sky. It was sure to blind someone if they looked at it too long. There was a crimson one that changed shades every few seconds, lighter, then crimson, then darker, then lighter again. And a yellow, glittery dress robe that seemed to be made of something resembling clouds; it just seemed so light. This might just be the place they were looking for.

When they entered, they found a very large selection of all kinds of clothing for witches, some things that were impossible to think of. And they could see that the owner had a booming business, seeing as how the whole female population of Hogwarts was probably crowded in here.

They watched Granger leave the shop, followed by the Patil twins and Brown. Soon, a woman wearing a black silk cloak over crimson dress robes studded with rubies hurried over to them. Black hair was indistinguishable from the cloak, and flecks of amber within brown eyes looked down at them.

"Here for the Masquerade tonight? What are you two ladies looking for?"

It was Morgan Le Fey, though a much nicer one, seeing as how she couldn't tell who Dracina was.

"A pixie costume, please."

"A dryad costume, please."

"Pixie and dryad? I've had quite a few orders for pixie, but you are the first one today for dryad. There was even a girl requesting a nymph costume a few moments ago, but not a single dryad. A very unique look, dryad, and not many can pull it off, but your features will complement the look perfectly. After all, not many girls have such good looks, and there are even less who can go to a Masquerade as a dryad."

Dracina stared at Morgan. They were almost the same words Mother had said. Almost.

"Come along now. I have some splendid outfits for the two of you."

Dracina and Pansy followed Morgan as they wove through the throng of people, now and then stopping as girls asked Morgan for advice. Finally, Morgan led the two Slytherins to a rack of clothing, where there were quite a few other witches crowding around.

"Pixie? What about this?"

Morgan showed them a dark, deep red pixie dress. It was strapless, and went down to the middle of the thighs. Pansy looked at it, wondering.

"Do you have a place where I can try this on?"

Morgan nodded.

"Sure, it's right over there."

When Pansy left, Morgan turned her attentions onto Dracina. She rummaged around until she found what she was looking for.

"Would this suit you?"

It was a dress, completely made of leaves, no doubt preserved with a Preservation Charm. And Dracina had to admit, the dress would be perfect for a dryad.

As Pansy came back, Dracina took a good look at her. She didn't look too bad, in fact, the dress enhanced her dark brown hair, and she seemed to glow with an unearthly light that attracted quite a few guys in the shop with their girlfriends.

"This is perfect! I'll take it!" Pansy squealed. "What about you, Dracina?"

Dracina glared at Pansy before walking into the dressing room herself. The dress may be made of leaves, but it felt smooth as silk on her bare skin. It was a dress with two straps, and the dress was about the same length as Pansy's. As Dracina looked at her reflection in the mirror, she felt as if she really was in a forest, as if she was amidst exotic plants and wildlife. There was something about her that suggested that she was a wild creature in the forests. The Slytherin had to admit, the dress did look good on her. Her pale blonde hair looked golden against the green, and the gray eyes seemed softer, more capable of emotion.

When she walked out of the dressing room, she found Pansy staring at her in awe.

"Dracina! What a lovely dress! I love it!"

"The two of you look splendidly lovely. You'll be the belles of the ball. And I have the perfect masks for you as well."

***

Harry found himself standing nervously in the dorms before the Masquerade.

"Don't worry about it, mate, it'll be just fine," a leprechaun said from beside him.

Ron, taking advantage of his red hair, had dressed up as a leprechaun. However, he wasn't the only one. It seemed that Seamus, being Irish, had the same idea, and the two boys were ignoring each other, each saying that the other stole his idea.

Harry was dressed as a vampire, in a black velvet cloak, maroon silk shirt, and black leather pants. It was a pity that he couldn't wear Sirius's gift to the Masquerade, but Harry was pretty sure that there was going to be another Yule Ball this year, which would be the chance to show off his fur cloak.

"Have any idea what 'Mione is going as?"

"Not a clue, mate. She wouldn't tell anyone."

"Good luck, Ron."

"Same to you, mate."

***

The Seventh Year Gryffindor boys made their way down to the entrance hall, where many people were already clustered, waiting for the Masquerade to start. There were all sorts of magical beings, pixies, faeries, vampires and vampiresses, leprechauns, etc.; it seemed like a meeting of the denizens of Narnia.

They watched as the Slytherins came up from their dungeon common room. Crabbe and Goyle were immediately noticed, as they were the only two in the school with such great bulks. However, Malfoy was no where in sight. Maybe he couldn't make it and would be disqualified.

Soon, the doors opened, and the student population of Hogwarts streamed in. The lights had been dimmed, and spotlights shone onto the stage. There were many round tables surrounding a central dance area, and a refreshment table at the place where the High Table usually stood. The Seventh Year boys grabbed a table to themselves.

As everyone settled in, a band climbed on stage. They seemed to be quite popular, according to the applause around the room.

"Blimey! I didn't think the Shrieking Sorcerers were going to be here! They are the hottest new band around!"

When the crowd quieted, the Shrieking Sorcerers struck a fast tune, and soon, people were asked to dance. Seamus and Dean stood up and went onto the dance floor. Neville had already met up with Ginny in the Gryffindor common room, which left only Ron and Harry sitting at the table. Moments later, Ron was asked to dance by a faerie, wearing a glittery white dress. She seemed to glow and radiate, as if she was something not of this world. Ron hastily left, not taking his eyes off the faerie, all thoughts of Hermione out of his mind.

***

Pansy had found someone to dance with within the first five minutes. It must have been the dress that she bought for 50 galleons. As Dracina had noticed, she seemed to be surrounded by an unearthly light, making her seem exotic and sensual.

Dracina, of course, wanted to avoid everyone as much as possible. She was not going to dance with anyone. Ah ha! There was a dark corner by the refreshment table! A wonderful place to observe the crowd.

***

The dance slowly dragged by for Harry, who still had not found someone to dance with. As the last song of the night struck up, he found himself by the refreshment table. As he prepared to pour himself some punch, the Gryffindor's eyes picked up something. He looked around him.

There, that must have been it. A lovely dryad was hiding in a corner. There was something about her that seemed familiar. Harry was attracted to her the same way a fire attracts a moth.

***

Dracina saw the vampire walking towards her. Shite. And to think, she had almost escaped.

"Would you care to dance?"

Dracina looked at him irritatingly. The next thing she knew, though, she had her her left hand on his right shoulder, his right hand was on her waist, and his left hand held her right, guiding her.

There was something about him. Something familiar about those emerald green eyes. No doubt, he did look quite handsome, what with the maroon silk shirt and black leather pants. Whoever he was, he had very good taste.

***

As Harry slowly guided the dryad around, the feeling that he knew her increased. She gave off the vibe of a wild, exotic creature, but nonetheless, she seemed familiar. Harry felt himself slipping into exotic jungles as they danced.

***

Dracina found herself starting to enjoy the dance. It was a slow song, and they were pivoting around ever so slightly. But she doubted that that was the reason why. It was who she was dancing with.

As she heard the song end, she looked up into those emerald eyes. So very very familiar. And unbeknownst by either, their faces were growing closer and closer.

***

Harry felt warm breath on his neck, and their bodies were moving closer together. He could feel her lungs moving up and down and her heart beating. Slowly, their lips touched.

***

Dracina felt warm lips engulf hers. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling. Then all of a sudden, the Slytherin realized what she was doing. Dracina gently pulled back. She couldn't afford to be seen kissing anyone. Not that she didn't enjoy it.

The lights were back on in the Great Hall, and people everywhere were taking off their masks.

Dracina watched with growing apprehension as the vampire removed his mask.

Bloody shite. It was Potter.

***

Harry looked on as the dryad removed her mask. Pale blonde hair fell about her, and soft gray eyes gazed back at him. He couldn't tell the emotions in them. They were unreadable, like Malfoy's.

"May I ask who you are?"

"Dracina Moore."

"Will I see you again?"

"I wouldn't doubt it, Harry."

His name was pronounced softly and slowly, as if the person wasn't used to pronoucing the word. Dracina left quickly, and as he watched her exit, Ron came up beside him.

"Hot chick you got there, mate. Harry, you would not believe who the faerie was."

"Who?"

"Hermione."

***

Ron explained the whole thing to Harry as the two walked back up to Gryffindor Tower.

It seemed that the two had kissed also at the end of the last song, but when they took off their masks, the two Gryffindors were flabbergasted. Ron had a feeling that she had thought he was someone else, which was why she asked him to dance in the first place, which was also why he didn't ask her out.

Little did they know that Hermione thought the only reason Ron kissed her was because he thought she was someone else, and when he found out who she was, he regretted it.

***

Dracina made her way down to the dungeons with Pansy. It seemed that Pansy had quite a evening, as more than one person had asked her to dance. Pansy was extremely pleased and was babbling on and on. Of course, there was the occasional 'I wish I could have danced with Draco.'"

All Dracina could think of was Potter. Of all the people at Hogwarts she could have danced with and kissed, it had to be the blasted Potter. Everyone's Golden Boy. She just hoped that no one saw it. If her Housemates saw, then she would never live this down. Luckily, no one did.

***

After the Masquerade, the Slytherins were in the common room, talking. None were tired enough to go to bed.

Blaise was surrounded by the other Seventh Years as he bragged about shagging a Gryffindor Sixth Year. Dracina looked at him in disgust. Shagging a Gryffindor was not something to brag about.

"Draco, you're back!"

Pansy's squeal brought him out of his thoughts, and he realized that he was wearing very uncomfortable female clothing.

It seemed that the rest of Slytherin House had noticed, too, as a crowd gathered around him. Everyone wanted to know who Draco had kissed.

And it took Draco a moment to realize that he had only kissed one person the whole night. Bloody shite. No one was going to know about this anytime soon. Meaning never. Not even Mother.