Elementals of Magic: Prophecy of Lies

Chapter 18

One Down, One to Go

The week passed by quickly and before anyone knew it, St. Valentine's Day had arrived.

Hogwarts had been festooned in whites, pinks, and reds of all sorts. Roses blossomed on the grounds, many students picking bouquets for their beloved. The Great Hall had been decorated with red and pink streamers, carnations of similar colors growing out of the stone walls. The torches had been replaced with Fire Lilies, white lilies that held flames within the delicate petals. Mistletoe Spread, though it had been forbidden, had been placed strategically in many corridors by a group of romantic Hufflepuffs collaborating with their Ravenclaw friends, and many couples claimed one to themselves, making out in the stone hallways. Mistletoe Spread trapped all who passed under them until a kiss was exchanged between all of those trapped. Ron and Hermione endeavored to trap each other in one that hadn't been claimed, though to no avail.

Many leprechauns flew around Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, delivering Valentines of all sorts to pupils; singing ones, store-brought cards, anything and everything imaginable. Even with Voldemort and the Death Eaters looming ever closer, the students of Hogwarts enjoyed themselves on this festive day, with no worries at all about the dark future that was descending nearer with each passing day.

***

Harry had been asked a few days ago by Sally-Anne Perks, a shy Hufflepuff who had fidgeted nervously when she asked him to the Ball and had blushed red when he consented. Harry was just glad to have a partner. He wanted Dracina, he did, but she hadn't been seen since Halloween, and he knew not how to contact her.

Ron had been complaining for several days about how Hermione wasn't interested in him, and when Harry suggested for him to tell her how he felt, the redhead became hysterical, saying that she would never come near him again if he did. Harry then suggested for him to not go but Ron adamantly refused, insisting on going so that he could see Hermione's date. The redhead hadn't forgotten about Krum and Fourth Year.

Draco Malfoy was another problem. The Slytherin was in love with him. In love. When had the enmity between them turned into love? Or was the hatred just to cover up the love? And then, why the dreams? And what about what the Mirror of Erised had shown him? He loved Dracina, didn't he? The tentative friendship between them had been broken, the fine thread snapped by the truth that fateful Monday. Harry was confused about his own emotions and there was no one to confide in. No one who would take all of this calmly and rationally.

***

Draco spent the day accompanying Pansy in Hogsmeade, where she spent much money for the upcoming Ball that evening.

First, they went to Witchwear where Pansy bought new dress robes. Morgan gave him a scrutinizing look that even he couldn't place. Though she didn't insult him in anyway and was actually quite helpful to Pansy.

Next, Pansy went to a shop that sold cosmetics of all kinds, makeup, perfume, lotion, it was enough to make Draco run away screaming if he was someone like Ron. The brunette spent approximately two hours in the shop, browsing through the aisles and asking Draco if he thought cinnamon or lavender suited her better, to which he replied neither, which just caused Pansy to stick two more bottles in his face.

Then, Pansy went to a dingy little shop that sold many Dark Magic items. There were quite a few that Draco wanted to try on Blaise, though he didn't buy anything, Pansy bought almost one of everything. Draco wondered vaguely why she would need any of it.

After that, Pansy dragged Draco to the Three Broomsticks as she was freezing from walking around outside. A gush of warm air rushed to meet them as they opened the door. Inside, many people sat, chatting happily about the upcoming Ball and other cheery events.

Less than ten minutes later, the two Slytherins were on their way back to the castle, since Pansy had insisted on having at least three hours to prepare.

***

That night, the whole of Hogwarts gathered around the doors to the Great Hall ten minutes before seven. All of them were dressed in their finest, trying to impress that special someone. There was much flirting, holding hands, and snuggling among those present. This was the one day of the year devoted to lovers, the one day for them.

Fifteen minutes before seven, Pansy had finally emerged, ready for the Ball. Draco almost didn't recognize her at first from the way she looked.

The brunette was wearing splendid robes of pale pink, the robes nicely accentuating her curves. Her makeup was done so that one could tell that it was there, but barely. She had let her hair down, free of any adornments, and it was long. The dark brown hair reached to the middle of the Slytherin's back, long, smooth, and glossy, the way Draco remembered it.

They had kissed each other's cheeks, for formality's sake, and her skin was soft, softer than a baby's bottom. It was also smooth, free of any blemishes or blotches. The necklace that he had given to her rested on her neck, gleaming like a star. Pansy always took great care in her appearance but it seemed she was even more self-conscious today.

They had led the Slytherins up to the Great Hall, where the rest of the Houses had gathered, smiles on every face. Pansy and Draco split from the rest of their House and moved by the other champions.

Boot was with some Fifth Year; Bones also. Potter was with a Seventh Year Hufflepuff, some friend of Bones named Sophie or something like that. They were all dressed in their best. Potter had actually tamed his hair for once, and it looked...good. The xanthochroid wondered briefly what it would feel like to run his hands through it before he caught the Gryffindor staring at him and glanced away.

Merlin, when had he fallen in love with Potter? Or was it Harry now? Draco didn't know. Denial had been so much easier. At least back then, he could happily insult Potter and not think about how wonderfully splendid Potter looked.

Professor McGonagall walked towards them, wearing red velvet robes, though her hair was still up in a bun.

"You will enter after the rest of the school enters. Your table is again, by the professors. Enjoy your evening."

The doors to the Great Hall opened, and the population of Hogwarts entered, many chatting happily, holding hands, goofy grins on their faces. Ron and Hermione were both surrounded by fellow Gryffindors, glancing at each other longingly when each thought that the other wasn't looking. It was funny how Granger was so smart, yet couldn't figure out that her affection for the Weasel was returned, mused Draco absently as the two love-struck Gryffindors passed by them.

When everyone else was seated in the Great Hall, the champions entered. The decorations were perhaps even more extravagant than it had been at Yule. The room was bereft of light except for the twinkling stars on the enchanted ceiling, shining softly down upon them, trying their best to give the Great Hall a romantic atmosphere for the couples to enjoy. Pink, white, and red rose petals fell down upon the eight, entangling in hair, resting on robes and skin alike.

The walls were no longer the color of worn stone but a sweet red, enhancing the romantic atmosphere. A bouquet of roses lay on every chair, and a vase of them stood at the center of each table. In the middle of the Great Hall was a large dancing area, behind it two tables, one seated with the professors, the other empty. A table of food stood behind them; Draco could see heart-shaped cookies and spaghetti. The xanthochroid had no doubt that some couple was going to share the spaghetti and end up kissing when the two lovers both ended up eating the same strand.

The champions walked over to their table and sat down, Draco carefully avoiding Harry. At the next table, Professor Dumbledore stood up, his long white hair and beard shining in the dim room.

"Welcome to the St. Valentine's Ball! I hope all of you enjoy this wonderful evening with the one you love! Today, you may dance Muggle-style with your partner, as it is St. Valentine's Day! Now, may I present Erato Luvelich! Champions, lead the dancing!"

A witch dressed in robes of the palest pink climbed onto the stage, rose petals settling in her black hair. A slow tune drifted out of thin air, and she began to sing.

The champions stood up and moved onto the dance floor. Draco wrapped his arms around Pansy's waist while Pansy wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing against him. She smelled like jasmine. They may not truly like Muggles but that did not mean that they didn't know about their culture.

Around him, many couples were doing the same thing, arms wrapped around necks and waists, bodies pressed against each other, not ever wanting to be separated from each other. There were even couples kissing as they danced, love pouring out from them and into the atmosphere.

Draco found all of this to be irritating and annoying, how everyone gazed lovingly and longingly into everyone else's eyes, how everyone was acting all sappy and lovey dovey. It was insane, it was stupid. Yet, the Slytherin wondered how it would feel like to have Harry love him back, then shook himself out of it, telling himself that love was only for the weak, though not believing it himself.

Draco soon found himself staring at Harry and Sophie. The two were also dancing Muggle-style, though the Gryffindor seemed a bit uncomfortable, no doubt remembering the Yule Ball and Turpin, who had already left the Great Hall twice that night, no doubt shagging or giving blowjobs in some closet or deserted classroom.

Merlin, he wished he was holding Harry around the waist, the other young man's arms around his neck, bodies pressed sinfully against each other, reveling in each other's warmth and embrace. None of this was lost on Pansy, who knew who Draco was looking at.

"You love him," she whispered softly. It was neither an opinion nor a question. It was a fact, a statement.

Draco looked down at her, surprise flashing fleetingly in the Malfoy Grey eyes before they turned calm once more.

"I do."

Pansy removed one of her hands and cupped his cheek tenderly.

"I wish you the best."

"Thank you."

Pansy had always known that Draco didn't love her, didn't love her back the way she loved him. Back then, it was fondness and adoration, now it was just fondness and friendliness. She didn't want to let him go, couldn't bear to let him go.

How many times in a lifetime does one find his/her true love? Pansy loved Draco, loved the sarcastic and cynical blonde with everything she had, was willing to die and more for him. Yet, she wasn't the one he loved.

It was Potter, the one person whom he had been obsessed with since First Year, ever since Potter rejected his offer and became friends with the Weasel. And over time, the obsession, the hate, the passion, it must have somehow turned into love.

It was time to let Draco go, let him be happy, let him experience love the way she had experienced it, let him feel joyful and carefree for once, even if it wasn't with her.

***

Harry found himself gazing into Draco Malfoy's steely gray eyes. He was holding Pansy, though his eyes were staring at Harry. The Gryffindor didn't know what to think.

It seemed that everyone who had made a significant impact on his life was related to Draco Malfoy somehow. Or was him. His first true friend, Drake Moore. His archrival, Draco Malfoy. His admirer, Draco Malfoy. His love, Dracina Moore.

They were so uncannily alike. Their initials were all DM. Their names were all forms of Draconis. Their last names all were related to Malfoy; the Moores, after all, had married the French family two times.

Who truly was Dracina? She had been at Hogwarts that once, and then, she had disappeared, never seen again. Draco Malfoy seemed to know her but never did give Harry any important information about her. Unless, his first guess was right.

The truth dawned upon Harry like a giant tidal wave splashing onto a deserted beach, washing the sand away and exposing the long ago buried skeletons beneath it, sand ingrained into cracks in the bones, the bones themselves black with age. The sheer horror of the truth overwhelmed Harry.

***

The next day, as Harry woke up, the truth immediately pounced on him and forced him to think about everything, to reevaluate everything that he knew, or he thought he knew.

Draco Malfoy loved him. He loved Draco Malfoy. When had he fallen in love with the blonde, sarcastic, cynical, absolutely horrid and insulting yet undeniably handsome and elegant Slytherin? Or should he ask himself how? When had the loathing turned into love?

Everything was so confusing. It was. Harry had never thought himself to be able to even like Draco Malfoy as a friend, and then all of a sudden, the two became friends, though very cautious and uneasy friends at that. Next, the Gryffindor discovered that the Slytherin loved him, and guess what, he loved the blonde back.

At least, the dreams and what the Mirror of Erised had shown him made sense now. Yet reality could never be so perfect. He and Draco were destined to be on opposite sides of the war, destined to kill each other and tear each other apart. Or were they? Nothing was going to be easy, not with their predetermined paths in life, the paths that they had trodden on for so long, paths that won't be easy to deter, to change. Yet they had to, if all of this was to work.

Denial had never seemed better to Harry, yet he couldn't go back. There was no choice but to keep on going and take what he received graciously.

***

The weekend passed quickly, and another week of school soon arrived. Draco and Harry still hadn't figured out what they had to do for the third contest, and they were now frantic, the problems they were having with their feelings and each other adding onto the long list of burdens for the two young men.

Harry, determined to put an end to his problems with Draco, passed him a note in Potions.

Draco opened it and was surprised, to say the very least, though his face was as listless as ever.

Draco,

Meet me in the Astronomy Tower tonight at eleven.

Harry

What could the Gryffindor want with him? Draco truly had no inkling of an idea what to expect. The blonde folded the note and quickly hid it from sight before anyone, especially Kyon, could spy it, though not before Pansy's watchful eye had caught sight of it.

After Potions, Pansy caught up with Draco and asked him about Harry's note. Draco grudgingly showed it to her.

Pansy quickly scanned it, then handed it back to Draco, whose face was indifferent. She had a suspicion about what all this was to be about.

***

Harry paced back and forth in the Astronomy Tower, one hand holding his Invisibility Cloak, in case Filch or maybe Mrs. Norris showed up, and he would have to make a run for it. What if Draco didn't show up?

Moments later, a young man revealed himself to the Gryffindor, pale golden hair glinting in the moonlight shining through the window, Invisibility Cloak on one arm.

"What do you want to talk to me about, Potter? Make it quick. I have better things to do than waste time with you."

"Draco..."

"When have we been on a first-name basis, Potter?"

"Since now. Draco, I know."

"If this is all you want to say, then I'm leaving." Draco made to put his Invisibility Cloak on.

"Wait!" Harry cried. "Don't you want to know what I feel?"

"Does it matter? Just keep this to yourself, and you'll be safe."

"Draco...Gray doesn't have to be the only safe color," Harry said.

Draco looked at him with surprise.

"How do you know?"

He then understood.

"Why do you care?"

"You know why. I'm willing, willing to change all of this." Harry gestured to everything around them. "It doesn't matter what your opinions are, they don't have to be all gray."

"Easy for you to say. If I want to stay alive, they do."

"It doesn't matter. I'll save you. I'll be your hero instead of the world's. I'll save you instead of everyone else. I've already proven what I feel for you once. Do I have to again?"

Draco made no move or any reply, prompting the Gryffindor to walk towards the Slytherin. The blonde stood his ground, though a fleeting emotion that Harry couldn't name passed onto the smooth face for a brief second before apathy, once again, reigned over his expression.

Harry put his hand under Draco's chin and tilted it up, studying the shining gray eyes under the moonlight washing over them both. He then leaned down and kissed the inviting lips.

It was even more intense than it had been in the dreams. Those lips were so soft, so wonderfully soft. He wanted Draco, needed Draco, loved Draco. There was passion, there was always passion.

It soon became less chaste and even more passionate, tongues and teeth joining in on the fun. Draco's hands gripped Harry's hair tightly, as if they were trying to pull the strands of black out of the scalp, and Harry had pushed Draco against the stone wall, body pressed against Draco's tightly. He could feel Draco's chest moving up and down against his, feel his heart beating, as if running a race against his own.

The kiss was full of need, of want, of passion. Tongues entered mouths greedily, teeth bit down, showing ownership, marking their property. All too soon, the two boys pulled apart.

Draco gazed into Harry's eyes.

"Harry..."

And then, they were going at it again, snogging in the one place in Hogwarts that was known as the makeout place, known as the place of lovers.

And standing several paces away from them, a lonesome girl, hidden beneath a Merging Cloak, smiled sadly as a single tear slid down her cheek.

***

Victoria smiled sadly as she watched Harry and Draco kiss in the Astronomy Tower. Oh, how they reminded her of the past, of Tom. But now wasn't the time to turn nostalgic, to reminisce about times long gone, times that never could be again.

It was about time. One down, one to go. Oh, she could only hope that he would realize what he had to do. Everything would soon begin.

_______________________________

xanthochroid - My beta told me that the FA dictionary didn't have this, so here is the definition.

xanthochroid - adj. having light-colored hair and complexion

n. a xanthochroid person

This definiton was found in The Webster's New World College Dictionary Fourth Edition.