Someone To Know Me Too Well

Aja, you know how to get my juices flowing. You and Jen both. Thank you for your help.

Plumeria, your artwork actually inspired a scene in this chapter. Thank you for sharing it and your writing.

Julien, my other beta, more will be your mailbox soon!

And Tom, who leans over my shoulder late at night and whispers the most delightful plot twists in my ear.

A special thank you to all who reviewed: Tess (good point about Lucius. I originally had him coming to Hogwarts on Board of Governors business but Julien pointed out that he got kicked off. Ah well. Thank you so much for your insight and your honesty); Deadly Nightshade (Lucius Behaving Badly? Just you wait); Julien (Chapter 4 will be on its way soon to you for beta); Joyus Pierscinski (Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long); Zorb (no Percy-revelations in this chapter, I promise and you will hate the way this chapter ends!); JessB (here's more, as you requested, love); and Kwinelf (keep an eye out for further authorial snarkiness).

 

"Do I have this right? You sent out the letter to a family friend, and got a note back that wasn’t from him?"

Sam nodded. "Here… I think I have it still. I was showing it to Fred…" She rummaged around in her book bag, finally pulling the note out. She handed it to Snape, who read it, his face impassive.

"And then Mr. Malfoy said the same thing to you that was in the note?"

"Yes, Professor. ‘Leave it alone, little girl.' What do you think is going on here?"

"Well, just offhand, Miss Fawcett, I’d say you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of trouble."

"Me? Are you saying it’s my fault? All I did was ask someone a question and only after Malfoy opened his big mouth—"

Snape smiled at her. "Calm down. That’s not what I’m saying. I am not saying that this is in any way your fault. This all started a long time ago."

Snape just smiled at me. A small smile, but it was there.

He’s not so bad when he smiles.

Wait a minute. He knows what’s going on?

"Professor, what—"

"Do you know anyone who is adopted, Miss Fawcett?"

She blinked. "I don’t think so… why…?"

"When someone is adopted, their adoptive parents are listed as the birth parents on their birth certificates."

"Okay. Didn’t know that. But thank you for the random fact."

The tall wizard glared at her, then continued.

"As you know, every student at Hogwarts must supply a birth certificate." Sam nodded.

"However, all of the birth certificates in the student files--which only the professors and certain staff have access to—are enchanted."

"Got it. Enchanted. With you so far."

"These birth certificates list the child’s actual birth parents. Not just the names of their adoptive parents or the parents who raised them."

"They do? Well, that’s really cool and all, but what does it have to do with me? I’m not adopted."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"

"Professor, please, tell me what you know. No one will tell me anything, and I’m getting these nasty notes, and Mr. Malfoy’s hitting me, and Draco’s being all smug and Fred’s being so nice about the whole thing saying he loves me no matter what even if my father did kill himself and the giant squid was doing laps and Lisa’s trying to help and I can’t forget what he did to me and I’m going to be forty one day—" Sam found herself in tears.

I never cry.

You’re crying now.

Not in front of Snape!

Trying to push the tears away just made her cry harder.

Snape watched her, silent. He handed her a handkerchief. Finally, her sobs subsided.

"I’m so sorry, Professor."

"Nonsense. We all have to have an outlet at times."

Fred says that’s what Quidditch practice is for. Wonder what Snape does to relieve the tension? Despite it all, Sam grinned to herself.

"Follow me." He stood up, and for the first time, the full impact of where she was hit her.

She was in Snape’s chambers.

Virgin territory, rumor had it.

She was in a large sitting room, on a couch in front of an enormous fireplace. A line from a song sprang into her head.

Wonder if he’s a tiny chimney sweep with an enormous—

Bookcases. The room was filled with bookcases. Big bookcases. It was actually a very cozy room. A door stood partly open, and she could see that led into the bedroom. Snape stood there, watching her.

"Oh. Sorry. Just looking at all of your books."

He indicated another door, which led to the bathroom. He seemed nervous suddenly. "You should wash your face."

She saw her reflection in the mirror over the sink and gasped. Her lip was cut, and the left side of her face was swelling. She could see where the bruises were starting, and it looked as if she were going to have a lovely black eye.

You should see the other guy.

Frowning, she washed her face and dried it.

"Professor, how am I going to explain this?" She indicated her face. "That Peeves and I have a thing going on and he likes to get a bit rough?"

"I can take care of that. Sit down." He patted the couch next to him and pulled out his wand. Wary, but curious, she did so.

Severus Snape, you wild and crazy guy. The teacher wants the student to come sit next to him.

Wonder if he’s read that book by Nabokov.

"Close your eyes." He muttered something, and she felt a cool breeze touching her face. It seemed to penetrate into her skin and she leaned into it. But it was gone.

Opening her eyes, she saw Snape studying her intently.

"I didn’t know you were a mediwizard."

"I’m not. But that spell has come in handy from time to time in my life. Only the physical appearance has changed."

"But don’t you have a healing potion that will just cure it completely?"

"Nothing that will allow you to stay awake the rest of the day. You’ll be sore, yes, but no one will be able to see the bruises."

"Good, because I was afraid I was going to have to tell everyone that O.J. got hold of me."

"What?"

"Lame attempt at Muggle humor." All of a sudden, she was very tired. "Er, Professor, I was wondering…"

Snape raised an eyebrow. "You were wondering what?"

"If professors have access to the student files, could you, uh, look at mine for me?"

"And tell you what?"

"ER…"

"Samantha. Are you sure you want to do this?"

He keeps calling me by my first name. Do I get to call him Severus now?

"I… I have a right to know. Whatever it is that you’re hinting about that’s in my files."

"If I do this for you, do you understand that this is just the beginning? And do you understand that you are not going to like what you find out?"

"But it’s better than not knowing!"

His voice was soft. "I think you may have cause to rethink that position, but if it’s what you want, I will help you in any way I can. I always pay my debts."

*

Lisa and Draco were waiting outside of the Ravenclaw common room.

"I just don’t know where she could have gone. And where did Snape go?"

Draco shifted, looking uncomfortable.

"I told you. They probably went to see Pomfrey. Why don’t we go check there?"

Lisa hesitated. "I don’t know. I have a bad feeling about all this."

Draco took her hand. "You worry too much. What could have happened to her, anyway?"

"I don’t know. Your father might know something. He was helping her with her books. But…"

"But what?"

Is it the light or does he look paler than usual?

"Well, if he offered to stay and help her with her books, why didn’t he shake her hand?"

"Oh. I don’t know. I’ve never seen him do that before. Maybe he was just caught by surprise or something."

"Is your father usually so…?"

"Intense?"

Lisa sighed with relief. "Yes. Intense."

"No. Sometimes he comes across as cold and aloof."

Despite her worry for her friend, Lisa laughed. Draco smiled at her.

Awww. He’s trying to cheer me up.

Why doesn’t he smile like that more often?

Getting up, he held out a hand to her. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"You’re going to the infirmary to see if she’s there. I’m going to see if Snape’s in his office. Meet me outside the Great Hall, okay?"

"Okay."

Draco leaned forward and kissed her softly, on the mouth. He pulled back and looked at her, his eyes promising more.

Wonder if he’s ever heard "Bolero"? Sexiest music ever written.

"Try not to take too long, Turpin."

Wordless, Lisa nodded and watched him walk down the hallway.

*

"Yes." Sam looked up at Snape. "I have to know. I’ll deal with whatever I find out, but I have to know."

"You always have been too curious for your own good. Very well. Meet me in my office tomorrow after Potions class."

"Your office?"

"Of course. It would not be seemly for me to have a student in my chambers, would it, Miss Fawcett? Unfortunately, my office is connected to the classroom, and I rather felt you needed privacy for a bit."

"Oh! Right."

Snape held the door open for her. "Tomorrow afternoon."

"Tomorrow. And… Professor?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For… everything."

"Don’t thank me just yet. You may come to wish that we’d never had this conversation."

"I’ll take my chances."

His black eyes bored into hers. "Yes, Miss Fawcett, you always have."

*

As he rounded the corner, Draco saw the door to Snape’s chambers open. He heard Snape talking and a shaky soprano voice answering him.

And was not at all surprised to see Sam leaving. He quickened his pace and caught up with her.

"Fraternizing with the professor now? For shame. In his chambers. Did he give you any… extra credit?"

"Oh, lucky me. Malfoy junior. Shall I bring you a snack? Some kittens? A small child, perhaps?"

"I’m not hungry just now, but I’ll keep your offer in mind," he answered smoothly. "Were you and Snape… eating… in there just now?"

"Malfoy, just go away. I can’t deal with you right now. Go show Pansy your throbbing python of love or something." God, he looks like his father right now.

"Gotta toughen you up, Fawcett."

"Your father already tried to do that. Lovely man." Sam turned to walk away but Draco caught her arm. She hissed in pain.

Draco’s eyes narrowed. He reached out as if to touch her face, then nodded as she shrank away.

"What did you say to him?"

"Look, Malfoy, I’m tired, I’m sore, and I don’t—"

"He doesn’t lose his temper easily. You must have really displeased him for him to hit you."

"What makes you think that he hit me?"

"Come on, Fawcett. I know my father. And I know the signs. Did Snape cast a charm on you? To hide the bruises?"

Snape’s potion is taking effect.

Or I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole.

"And does your father often go around hitting women he doesn’t know? That’s considered rude in polite society, you know."

Draco’s… studying me.

Does he look… sympathetic?

What did his father do to him?

Draco looked at the floor.

Nervous. He’s nervous.

Draco Malfoy doesn’t get nervous.

Well, if he isn’t nervous, he needs to pee really badly because he’s definitely edgy.

"What do you know, Draco?"

"I can’t—"

She shoved him back against the wall, her anger making her surprisingly strong. "Oh, yes you can. It was your little comment to me in the closet that started this whole fucking thing. So help me finish it. You may hate me, and I promise you that I don’t like you either, but I would hope that there’s enough… decency in you to at least take responsibility for your actions."

He closed his eyes, looking torn.

Torn between loyalties?

Where the hell did that come from?

Finally he looked at her. "Do you remember your Sorting?"

She blinked. "Well, it was a while ago, but pretty much, yes. Why?"

"Did the Hat put you immediately in Ravenclaw? Or did it consider any other houses?"

Sam cast her mind back… "It wanted to put me in Slytherin!"

"But it didn’t."

"No. I remember now. It was so weird. It immediately started talking about Slytherin and I said something to the effect of my father would kill me if I got Sorted into Slytherin. The Hat got kind of haughty about it and said that my father would be very proud for his daughter to be put in the same house he was in. My father was in Ravenclaw, however. I just figured it was hat Alzheimer’s or something. Nobody knows anything about that hat anyway."

Mr. Weasley always says never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain. Good advice.

"Nobody knows anything about that hat? Dumbledore does. I’ll bet Flitwick does."

She ran her hands through her hair. "Merlin! I wish I had a Pensieve or something! All of this stuff is just floating around in my brain—"

"Because there’s nothing there to get in the way."

"—and I’ve got all these random pieces of information from you, and Snape, and your father, and—"

Draco put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to him. "What did my father tell you?"

"—I just wish I could—"

"What did my father tell you?"

" That I was meddling around in things that were none of my business, and that I would do well to reflect upon my father’s untimely demise… that he’d had to make a special trip up here because I was asking questions… but I must have made him do what he did…"

Draco’s face paled.

"Did I just say that last part out loud?"

His voice was very, very soft. Sam could see the child he’d once been. "What did you say to him? To push him over the edge?"

"He, uh, insulted Fred, so I told him that it wasn’t my fault that Viagra didn’t work for him, and then I said…I said he had no right to tell me what to do, and that if he didn’t like it he could go gripe about it at a Death Eaters Anonymous meeting. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s my fault that he…"

"Hit you."

"Yeah. But he gave me his word that he’d never do it again."

"Don’t believe him. It isn’t your fault."

Sam couldn’t remember seeing so much pain in someone’s eyes. "Draco, I’m so sorry… what did he do to you?" She reached out, thinking only to comfort him.

Anything to make that pain go away.

He stopped her arm. His eyes hardened and he sneered at her. "You’d better get to your dorm. Lisa’s worried about you, though I can’t imagine why, and I’m sure that Fred is missing his snog partner as well. I guess you’re the best that he could get."

"…"

Say something!

Stunned, Sam shook her head and walked slowly up the stairs.

Draco turned and muttered a password. Alone, he walked into the Slytherin common room.

*

The minute Sam walked into the Ravenclaw common room, she was attacked. Lisa’s was the first face she saw, then Fred’s. Cho stood behind them, looking worried.

"Where have you been?" Lisa cried. "I couldn’t find you anywhere!"

Fred swept her up in a bear hug and she cried out.

"What happened?" he asked.

Think fast. And make it good.

*

"So Mr. Malfoy took you to the infirmary?" Fred asked. His brown eyes were wide with concern.

Sam nodded. "Yes. Pomfrey said my ankle was just twisted. Nothing to worry about. She did some kind of spell and now I’m good as new. Except that I missed class. What did we do in there?"

Lisa answered. "Nothing. We reviewed several potions. Snape wasn’t there."

"What do you mean, Snape wasn’t there?"

"He left right after class started, and put Hermione in charge."

"Lisa thought it had something to do with you," Fred added.

You can do this. Steady voice.

"Why would it have anything to do with me?"

You can be a very convincing liar.

"Just the timing and all."

Cho frowned. "I have to go see Pomfrey. I’ll have to write up an Incident Report on your injury, Sam."

I am going to be so busted if she goes to Pomfrey.

"No, it’s okay, Cho, really—"

"The Prefect’s manual clearly states that—"

"But you’ve got such a wonderful record of a Prefect. I think that of all the houses, ours has the least Incident Reports on file. I’d hate to see something like a stupid little twisted ankle ruin that. It’s okay. Honestly." Sam smiled at her.

The other girl seemed torn. "Well, you do have a point there…"

"Of course I do. "

Fred spoke up. "Shall we adjourn to dinner?"

Lisa took her hand. "Come on. Do you need help walking?"

Sam shook her head. "No, I’m fine, but I am not hungry at all. You go on without me."

"Sure you don’t want to come to dinner? It’s Thursday. Dirty limerick day," Fred added. "Here’s the one for today." He cleared his throat.

"There was a young woman from Venus

Whose body was shaped like a—"

"Fred! Stop!" Cho’s face had gone red.

"Shall we go to dinner, then?" Fred inquired.

"You sure you’re fine?" Lisa asked.

"Perfectly. But bring me a roll or something, okay?"

"Okay."

Lisa grinned at her and left the room. Fred gave Sam a rather deep kiss. Startled, she didn’t see it coming and tried not to stiffen as his arms went around her. He didn’t seem to notice. He left, followed by Cho.

Finally. Gone. Now if I can just try to figure out what happened to me today—

Sam climbed up the stairs to the dorm and sat down on her bed, startling a house-elf, who bowed.

"Tinka was just putting fresh water in the pitcher, miss. Tinka is leaving miss now."

Sighing, Sam poured herself a glass of water, grimacing as she swallowed.

Yuck. This is fresh water? I guess house-elves have different standards than we do.

Staring at the ceiling, she lay down on her bed.

*

She made her way to Snape’s chambers that next day. It had been the longest day of her life and her nerves were just about gone. She had gone from snapping at Lisa for laughing at a joke Fred told at breakfast to staring at her desk in all of her classes, trying to shut out the world around her. It didn’t work, but finally, finally Potions was over, and her shaking hand was knocking on Snape’s office door.

"Come in."

"Professor, I—"

Sam was cut off as Snape came to her from behind the desk, put his arms around her, and kissed her deeply. Taken by surprise, she didn’t resist—he did help you yesterday, after all—her mind noted, and soon found herself responding to the kiss. His lean body was pressed against hers, and she could see that he’d previously cast a glamour on himself. The greasy hair and hooked nose were all just a façade. Without the spell, he was very handsome. His hands moved down her sides, and soon found their way under her blouse… she moaned and pushed herself against him as he muttered something incoherent. He moved one leg in between hers and she cried out as his mouth moved down to her throat…

I hope that’s his wand poking me in the leg.

She started to say something to him, her hands tangled in his hair, but then something changed… his hair felt different and he was just a bit shorter…

Pulling away, she looked into the face of Lucius Malfoy.

"I told you to leave it alone, my girl. Now see what you’ve done? You’ve been very naughty and I’m going to have to punish you."

In terror, she tried to back away from him, but his arms held her fast.

"The line between pleasure and pain is very thin, indeed, my dear. You must learn to merge the two. You cannot fully appreciate the one until you have experienced the other." He tied her wrists together, and pushed her to the back wall of the room, which was now a dungeon. He eyed her appraisingly, then fastened the rope holding her bound wrists to a manacle in the wall. She was facing the wall but could see him out of the corner of her eye.

He grabbed the back of her robes and pulled, and she was left naked from the waist up. He looked at her with malice in his eyes. Raising his wand, which had become a riding crop, he spoke to someone else in the room.

"Pay attention to this. It is imperative that all Malfoys know their place."

Sam gasped as Draco stepped forward. He wore his usual smirk, but his eyes were wide, glancing at her with more than casual interest.

"Please, don’t do this—"

"Ah, yes, Samantha, do beg. That makes the treat all the more tasty. We Malfoys have a taste for the exotic, and I think you will do quite nicely. Draco?"

Lucius handed Draco the crop. With a nasty smile, father and son moved behind her. She heard the crop whistling through the air, had just enough time to think I know where that’s going and then a soft voice spoke from behind her.

"Do you want them to stop?" She didn’t recognize the voice, a rich baritone, but seized upon it immediately.

"Yes, please, don’t let them do this to me!" Looking over her shoulder, she could see Lucius and Draco. Both were frozen in mid-movement.

"Do you want my help?"

"Yes!"

"Will you do what I say?"

"Yes!" She twisted around to see the owner of the voice, but he was behind her, and all she could see was a pair of boots.

"Will you trust me?"

"Yes! Do something!"

The voice chuckled. "Impatient. We’ll have to work on that. It’s of no consequence right now, however." Her wand was pushed into her hand. "Turn and face them."

Her wrists were free. Sam turned and faced the frozen father and son.

"Think about what they were about to do to you. Think about how it would have made you feel had I not intervened. Feel the magic flowing through you. Then say ‘Avada Kedavra’."

"W-what? Kill them?"

"Best to kill them before they kill you. Now do it!"

Sam, listening to the mysterious, soft voice, suddenly found herself wanting to please him.

"Will you—"

"I know that no one in your life has ever been proud of you, but I’ll be very proud of you, Samantha. If you do this. Now do it. They’re defenseless, but they won’t be for long."

Taking a deep breath, she pointed her wand at Lucius Malfoy. "Avada Kedavra!"

A bolt of green light shot out of her wand, hitting Lucius in the chest. He dropped where he was standing, a look of faint surprise on his face.

"Now the son."

It wasn’t nearly as hard to do this time. With another cry of "Avada Kedavra!" Draco lay beside his father.

The voice’s owner came up behind her. She could feel him in every cell of her being, and his voice hinted at untold wonders waiting for her.

"Good girl. I’m very proud of you. We’ll meet again. Would you like that?"

The most wonderful feelings swirled through her: love, triumph, power, confidence… Sam suddenly felt complete. The world had a place for her. Nothing that had ever happened to her mattered now.

"Yes." That one word seemed to hang in the air, and Sam had a momentary feeling that she had just agreed to far more than she realized.

"Then we shall continue our lessons at a later date. But I’m always with you, Sam. Remember that." He walked around to face her, and she caught a glimpse of dark hair before he leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. He took her arms, and suddenly it was Fred, shaking her…

"Why can’t you just tell me the truth? I trusted you! Why can’t you trust me?" She tried to explain but Fred was shaking her too hard…

"Sam! Get up! You’re having a nightmare!"

"I had to cast it… Lemme ‘lone, Fred…"

"Sam, you had a dream. It’s time to get up."

She opened her eyes and Lisa sat beside her on the bed. "You were having one hell of a dream."

"What time is it?"

"Time for breakfast. Hurry up. Today they’re having omelettes."

"Oh…" Sam was groggy. "Let me just get dressed and I’ll meet you down there in a little bit."

"Okay, but don’t be late to class."

Waving Lisa off, Sam got up to get dressed, wondering what on earth Freud would have thought of her dream.

Kinky sex with the Malfoys. Guess Lucius has been reading the Greatest Hits of the Marquis de Sade. At least he didn’t call me Justine. What a wonderful way to start the day.

 

*

It was the longest day of Sam’s life. She couldn’t find her hairbrush that morning, all of her clothes seemed to be dirty, breakfast was cold, and things just seemed to go downhill from there. Finally, Potions class was over. Sam, who had been in a state best described as low terror mixed with anticipation all day, had knocked her cauldron over, tripped Snape, spilled shrivelfigs all over the floor, and dropped a vial of bat guano. Lisa finally took over and made Sam sit on her hands so that she couldn’t do any more damage. Snape, if he was aware of it, made no mention of Sam’s nervousness, but deducted ten points from Ravenclaw.

That is so unfair. He knows why I’m so nervous.

"…I was telling Harry that we’d be at Quidditch practice this afternoon."

With a start, Sam became aware that Lisa was talking to her. She also became aware of Snape’s gaze from the front of the room.

"I… what?"

"And I’ve decided that I like playing poker for kittens."

"That’s good."

Lisa laughed. "You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you? Space cadet. Quit being blonde. Let’s ditch homework for now and go watch Quidditch practice."

Snape gathered up some parchments and swept into his office, shutting the door.

"Uh, sure. I have to take care of something first but I’ll be right there, okay?"

Lisa frowned, but nodded. "Okay, but hurry. You haven’t been yourself lately and we’re all worried about you. Fred and I decided that you needed an afternoon off and that’s just what we plan to give you."

"I’ll be there in just a bit. Promise."

Lisa didn’t look convinced. "If you say so." She walked off.

Finally.

Sam waited until she could no longer hear Lisa’s footsteps and the classroom was finally empty, then followed Snape's path to his office door, knocking on it. Dimly she noted that her hand was shaking.

Oh, for Merlin’s sake, grow up. Stop being such a titty baby.

Snape opened the door. "Miss Fawcett. Prompt as always."

"I had to get rid of…" Sam trailed off as she saw two other people in Snape’s office.

Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick.

The armadillos. They found out about the armadillos.

Snape must have sensed her hesitation, for he led her to an empty chair. She sat down, heart beating so loudly she was sure everyone in the room could hear it, and waited for someone to say something.

Dumbledore spoke. "It has come to our attention that you are interested in your… family history."

"I think it’s my right to know."

"An opinion Professor Snape shares with you. Professor Flitwick and I are here to let you know that you can turn to either of us if you need anything at all."

Flitwick spoke, not unkindly. "And if you need anyone to talk to."

"Could we just get on with this, please?" To her ears, Sam’s voice sounded higher than normal.

Snape handed her a folder. "Your birth certificate."

Dumbledore and Snape glanced at each other, and she could have sworn she saw Snape shake his head at Dumbledore.

Moment of truth. Here goes nothing.

Her hands were shaking so hard that she had trouble getting the folder open.

She looked at her true birth certificate.

Mother: Anne Fawcett, née Harvey.

Father: Lucius Malfoy.

She could feel the blood draining from her face, she could feel Snape’s hand on her arm, she could hear Flitwick asking her something, but none of this mattered. Her eyes were riveted to the parchment in front of her.

Lucius Malfoy.

That man is my father… and he knows it. Which means Draco’s my brother… does he know that?

She stood up. "T-Thank you, Professor Snape. I appreciate this."

Flitwick looked at her with concern. "Are you sure you’re all right, child? You look rather pale. This is quite a shock, I know."

"No, I had a… funny feeling he was. It’s not that big of a surprise. Really, I’m fine."

Just get me out of this room before I have the screaming abdabs in front of everybody.

A voice spoke from behind her. The voice from her dream. "I’m right here, Sam. Everything will be fine."

Eyes wide, she spun around, but no one was there.

She groped for the door. "Please, I have to go… thank you, Professor Snape, Headmaster, Professor Flitwick…"

And out into the blessed coolness of the dungeons. Her face was burning, and she pressed it against the cold stone. A phantom hand stroked her hair, but when she turned, again, no one was there. Then the hand was gone.

Great. Lucius Malfoy is my father, and now I’m going crazy.

You can do this. Act normal, and no one will ever know. Just go to the Quidditch pitch, enjoy your afternoon…

Swallowing the emotions that were bubbling up inside her, she made her way to where Fred and Lisa waited for her.

 

 

Fred was already in the air with George and Harry, hitting the Bludger for all he was worth. Sam walked up to the pitch and sat on the bleachers. Lisa was on the other side of the pitch, talking to… Draco Malfoy.

No matter where I go, he turns up.

She buried her hands in her face, hiding behind a wall of her own construction, fighting the emotions, pushing them down where they belonged.

She jumped as someone came up behind her and hugged her, kissing her on the cheek.

Oh. Fred. Right.

I am losing it. I never even saw him land. Focus… and don’t stiffen in his arms.

"So! Dirty limerick day was yesterday, but I just thought of a great one…" He trailed off as he got a look at her face.

"What happened?"

Sam could handle anything but concern. Fred looked so worried…

He'll find out eventually, anyway.

"Fred… remember the owl I got? The threats? I found out what they were about."

He sat down. "What?"

"My real father isn’t Paul Fawcett. He adopted me and raised me as his. And someone didn’t want me to find out, but Snape helped me…"

"Well, you’re well rid of him, I think, but who, then? Who is your father?"

Sam took a deep breath.

You have to trust him. He loves you.

She heard that dream-voice again. "Don’t tell him."

I have to tell him.

"Lucius Malfoy."

Fred’s face paled. "Lucius Malfoy? I don’t understand…."

"I don’t either, Fred, but he’s my father. My mother was married to Paul Fawcett at the time, so I don’t know if they h-had an affair or what happened but he is my father, and I should have known by the way he treated me—"

Fred forced her to look at him. "The way he treated you? What are you talking about, Sam?"

Whoops. Did I say that last part out loud?

"He was here. Mr. Malfoy. The other day. And he… threatened me, but I found out what who he was anyway. He was just… cold… cruel… and then he—"

Fred’s knuckles were white. "He what?"

Sam looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "He sort of, well it was my fault but he…"

"Sam. What did he do to you?" Fred’s eyes were blazing.

"Well, I mouthed off to him and he sort of hit me."

Fred stood up, fists clenched, his face red. "He did what?"

She pulled him down next to her. "I asked for it, really, I should learn to keep my mouth shut, but he was so… cruel… and now I know that he’s my father and what if I’m just like him?" She couldn’t hold the tears back and fell into Fred’s arms, sobbing. He held her and kissed the top of her head.

"Shhh. You aren’t anything like him. You aren’t a Malfoy. You’re Sam, and I love you, and Mum loves you, and Dad loves you, and you’re part of our family. It’s okay, Sam. He won’t hurt you again. It’ll be okay. No one has to know."

She nodded against his chest.

The dream-voice spoke in her ear. "Do you believe him?"

Startled, Sam looked up, but saw only Fred. He pulled her close again, soothing her.

"It’s okay, Sam, you know I love you, no matter who your parents are." Fred paused then. "Did you… have you told anyone else?"

"See? He’s already calculating the damage," the voice in her mind said, and she pulled away from Fred in confusion.

"No, Fred, I haven’t told anyone. It’s our little secret." Suddenly, she was angry. "No one needs to know that you, a Weasley, are in love with a Malfoy!"

"There’s no love lost between the Weasleys and the Malfoys," Fred said, looking defensive.

Then be but sworn, my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

She stood up. "You can rest assured that I will keep my familial heritage to myself. I’d hate to embarrass you in front of everyone at Hogwarts!"

"Sam, that isn’t what I meant—"

"I don’t care what you meant! You said it, so you were thinking it. You’re worried? Did you ever think about how I must feel? Did you?" Her voice rose and she turned and ran, Fred on her heels. She stormed past Lisa and Draco, not noticing as Fred stopped in his tracks upon seeing Draco. Fred's face turned even redder. He stood over Draco, the Gryffindor Beater dwarfing the Slytherin Seeker.

"You Malfoys need to learn to start picking on people your own size!" Fred hit Draco with a right hook, and Draco staggered back in shock. He looked up at Fred.

"Hasn’t anyone taught you that it’s impolite to hit girls?" Fred's voice was little more than a growl.

"Fred, no!" Sam had come back upon hearing Fred's angry voice and was trying to hold him back, but it wasn’t working. George and Harry must have seen what was happening, for they landed and hurried to the scene of the confrontation. George stood beside his brother.

"What are you talking about, Weasley?" Draco faced Fred, wand at the ready.

"I’m talking about your father. Hitting Sam."

"My father’s actions are in no way a reflection on me."

"Oh? Like father, like son." Fred hit Draco again with another right hook, but Draco, though he staggered, managed to return it with an uppercut. With difficulty, George pulled Fred off of Draco as Harry held Draco back. Lisa watched, too shocked to say anything, and Sam's face was wet with angry tears.

"Men! You just can’t help it, can you? Have to ride in on a white horse and save the damsel in distress? I don’t need any of you! This isn't your fight, Fred! This is my problem! I don't…" Sam trailed off as she caught the look on Fred’s face. What she saw there broke her heart.

"Oh, Fred… I--I can’t take this right now." She turned and walked away.

Most of the fight had gone out of Fred now, and George let him go, eyeing him warily.

"Fred! What was that all about?" Lisa asked.

"Ask Malfoy, why don’t you? He can tell you all about his sister."

Harry looked at Draco, who was rubbing his jaw experimentally. "What is he talking about, Malfoy?"

Draco regained his composure, straightening his hair and his robes, and glanced at them all with cool gray eyes. "Samantha Fawcett is my sister. My half-sister. My father is also her father. She must have just found out, and no doubt gone to Weasley here for comfort. Nice job you did, Weasley."

Fred stepped towards Draco again, but George held him back. "So help me, if anyone in your family hurts her again…"

Lisa stepped forward. "No one’s hurting anyone here. Fred, what did Sam tell you?"

Fred said nothing, still glaring at Draco, who smiled bitterly. "I suppose I’d better go find Samantha, then, and undo the damage you undoubtedly did." Fred tensed but George put a hand on his shoulder.

Without a backward glance, Draco walked off, alone.

 

*

Her head hurt. Opening her eyes a fraction, she shut them quickly.

"Somebody turn off the sun."

Someone in the room laughed.

Sam took a mental inventory. She was lying in an unfamiliar bed.

Where the hell am I? What’s going on?

Thinking back, she tried to remember. The last memory she had, a very hazy one, was of her tossing Floo Powder into the fireplace in Snape’s chambers and shouting "The Three Broomsticks!"

Anything after that?

Oh yeah. From the Three Broomsticks you left and went to the Jolly Roger.

And then…oh, Merlin, whose bed am I in?