The Princes of Fire & Ice

The Princes of Fire & Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To know that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

~Fire and Ice, by Robert Frost~

***

CHAPTER X: Hallowe’en

Now your life’s gettin’ darker

It’s you that they’re after

Fifteen minutes a martyr

Blame it on your father.

~Robbie Williams, “By All Means Necessary”~

“Harry, get up!”

“Mmph… I don’t want to.”

“Tough, get up.”

“Eh.”

“Harry!”

Harry removed his face from his pillow and peered out at his best friend. Was it really morning already?

“I’m up, I’m up,” he muttered sleepily.

“Good, because it’s almost time for Quidditch practice.”

Harry sat up quicky. Quidditch practice!

Ron grabbed his arms and pulled him on his feet. “Normally you’d be the first one up and on the pitch - especially after that performance Malfoy put in at his practice. What is up?”

“Nothing,” Harry said quickly, walking towards the wardrobe to grab his practice outfit and gear. Quidditch practice only served to remind him he didn’t really have a plan how to deal with Draco tomorrow. But he hardly felt like confessing that to Ron.

“Is it about the dance tonight?” Ron asked, almost guiltily.

Harry stared at his friend for a moment before realizing what he meant.

The dance. Ginny.

Ug.

“Uh, maybe, a bit,” he stammered. “I don’t want to hurt Ginny.”

“I know, Harry, and I’m sorry for getting you into this,” Ron explained, as if he was afraid Harry would try to get out of it. “But you can’t back down now. I mean, that would only hurt her. You’re just going as friends, okay?”

Harry nodded slowly, not feeling up to arguing with Ron. After all, what could he say? It didn’t matter that Ron set them up as friends, Ginny was thinking otherwise. And maybe Ron was too, secretly thinking he could place his little sister safely into the hands of his best friend.

Too bad Harry wasn’t interested in Ginny at all. In fact, he wasn’t interested in girls at all. Or at least, none that he had met so far except for his crush on Cho Chang two years ago.

So was he interested in boys? He didn’t think about it much, but he knew right now there was only one boy who had caught his interest. And this was getting to be complicated since it was Draco.

“I’m sure we’ll all have fun tonight,” Ron iterated, somewhat unnecessarily.

Harry smiled at him. “I take it Lavender said yes?”

“What? Oh, yeah - yeah,” Ron started. “Luckily she hadn’t accepted any offers yet. Just mine.”

“Just yours…” Harry repeated with a grin.

“Oi! Don’t mock me,” Ron said, throwing a pillow off of the bed and hitting Harry in the back. Harry began to laugh.

“Ron and Lavender, how cute,” he grinned.

“Shut up,” Ron said, unable to keep from grinning back.

Harry finished gathering up all the equipment and they headed for the door. Ron looked over Harry briefly.

“I have to admit, you seem in better spirits than you have been in the past couple of days.”

Harry smiled to himself. “Well, things are looking up. Malfoy swears he’ll avoid me, we have the dance tonight, and the next day we kick Slytherin arse.”

“Sounds good to me,” Ron agreed as they rushed down the stairs and out of the portrait hole. They practically ran down the halls, out the door and to the Quidditch pitch where the rest of the Gryffindor team was assembling.

“Good morning and Happy Hallowe’en,” Harry greeted them. “The dance is tonight, but remember that tomorrow we face Slytherin. I think we all understand how high the stakes are and how important this practice is.”

“We can handle it,” Seamus announced from the back. “But Harry, have you figured out how to beat Malfoy’s new moves?”

Harry didn’t let his optimistic attitude waver at this. No need to worry everyone. “You could say that. I have an idea…”

He paused for a moment, distracted by the two memories of Draco flying with the amulet as well as their confrontations over it. He gazed back at the team and grinned, reaffirming his confidence. “Yeah, I have an idea. Okay people, mount your brooms. Up we go.”

***

Hermione paused in her work to watch Seamus admire the decorations that were already up. She walked up behind him and peered over his shoulder, hoping to surprise him.

“What shade do you call that?” he asked casually, not surprised in the least. Hermione smiled to herself and then glanced up in the direction he was pointing.

“Black,” she replied drolly.

“Ahhhh, I see,” he mused.

“Oh, stop it,” Hermione said, jokingly nudging him in the back. He turned around and grinned at her.

“Aren’t we looking lovely today,” he declared. She suddenly felt very self-conscious in the old clothes she had thrown on to help set-up. “Don’t blush,” he continued, his grin softening into a more sincere smile. “I’m serious.”

“I’m wearing the rattiest clothes I could find, so it wouldn’t matter if they got dirty.”

“If they got dirty you could clean them with magic,” Seamus answered logically. Hermione paused.

“Yes, but…”

“Yes, but some of us can’t grow out of our Muggle tendencies,” Seamus finished for her with a laugh. “I understand. But you still look lovely.”

“Uh, thanks,” Hermione answered, giving up. “Dare I ask what you ate at lunch that made you this giddy?”

“Oh, it wasn’t the lunch,” he replied with a wink. “It was Quidditch practice this morning. Harry’s good spirits are surprisingly contagious. I guess that’s the trademark of a charismatic leader.”

Hermione felt herself smile with relief. “Yes, I noticed that too. He’s in a very good mood, considering what has happened recently.”

“I think he’s really looking forward to beating Slytherin tomorrow.”

“I thought Malfoy was showing extraordinary skill at practice.”

“He was.”

“Well, isn’t that like the last game? When Malfoy caught the Snitch?”

Seamus shrugged. “I suppose. But Harry seems so optimistic now. Personally, I think he knows what Malfoy has up his sleeve and so he knows how to counteract it.”

He does know, but the only way to counteract it is to remove the amulet from Malfoy. And he already tried that, Hermione thought to herself.

“I guess if Harry isn’t too worried…” she began.

“Something like that,” Seamus said. He glanced around the hall again and then took Hermione’s hand in his. “I guess I should let you get back to your… decorating. I just wanted to come by and see you. And… tell you how much I’m looking forward to tonight.”

Hermione smiled back at him and squeezed his hand. “Thank you. I’m really looking forward to tonight as well.”

Seamus smiled and then dropped her hand. He began to walk away, but paused to wave good-bye once more. Hermione waved back and then turned back to resume her duties.

A moment later Justin ran up to her, breathless.

“Hermione! She’s here! Celestina Warbeck! She’s here!”

“That’s great, Justin, did you show her in?”

“Yes-I-but-oh my!!” he stuttered. “I can’t believe she’s here! I just met her!”

Hermione laughed. “I assume you acted more reserved around her?”

“Of course,” he said, calming down. “I left her with Professor McGonagall just now. Her crew should be here any minute and we can see if they need any help setting up.”

“Okay, just let me know.”

Justin nodded and then rushed off to speak with Hannah and the group clustered around her. Hermione checked her watch. It was three thirty. They were almost ready.

***

“So, what did he say?”

“He just asked if I wanted to go to the dance with him. Well, Ron mentioned it first but, yeah, he asked me.”

“That’s wonderful! It was so sweet when Ron asked me - he was so nervous.”

“Ron? Sweet?” Ginny scoffed. “Lavender, do you know what you just got yourself into?”

Lavender laughed, whispering a curling spell over another lock of hair. “I think so, yes. Your brother is good-looking.”

“Ew, I don’t want to hear this!” Ginny declared, grabbing her own dress off the bed.

“Feel free to go back to your own room then,” Lavender joked.

“No! I can’t do that. You know you do the best curling spells!” Ginny wailed.

“Fine then, put up with it. Or,” Lavender smiled deviously. “Tell me some more about Harry.”

“What’s there to tell? I haven’t gone out with him yet!”

Lavender shrugged. “Well, surely if he asked you out he’s spoken to you since. Ron has been wonderful since he asked me out. You know, pulling out my chair, carrying my books, winking at me in class. That sort of stuff.”

Ginny admired her reflection in the mirror uneasily. Harry really hadn’t acknowledged her, let alone been overtly sweet to her since he asked her to the dance. But that was different, right? After all, Harry had a lot on his mind right now. He had a fight with Malfoy that put him in the hospital wing; there was the prefects’ meeting, the Quidditch practices for the big game tomorrow…

Plenty of excuses to keep him from getting a chance to speak with her, pull out her chair or carry her books…

Exactly. Plenty of excuses; plenty of legitimate reasons…

“Well… I mean, yeah. We’ve spoken a few times - but nothing earth shattering. Obviously we’re not in any of the same classes so, we haven’t had the opportunity to wink at each other in class,” Ginny answered.

“I see,” Lavender smiled knowingly. “I’m sure he’ll make up for it tonight.”

“Do you think?”

Lavender giggled. “Probably. You’ll get to dance with him and talk with him. Who knows, you might even get a good-night kiss.”

Ginny started at her reflection again as Lavender spoke. A kiss from Harry? She’d never had a kiss from Harry.

Malfoy, on the other hand…

Malfoy had kissed her. And it had not been as detestable as she’d been pretending...

But she wouldn’t think of that because… because he was Malfoy. He was horrible, cruel, bratty, Slytherin… And he had only kissed her as a challenge to Ron and Harry. It had nothing to do with her.

“I won’t get my hopes up,” she said idly, shaking Malfoy from her thoughts. “I just want to enjoy tonight.”

“I second that,” Lavender smiled. “Now turn around so I can do your hair.”

***

Draco paced around his room in irritation. The room was stifling with the fire lit and the room sealed up. He had cast several securing charms to ensure that no one could spy or eavesdrop. He hoped that most of the Slytherins would be preparing for the dance tonight.

He checked the clock above the mantle: five fifty-three. His father was due in seven minutes. Time was moving unbelievably slowly.

Draco stopped pacing long enough to grab his tie out of the wardrobe. He didn’t know how long this chat would take, so he decided he should get dressed for the dance now. He began to fix his tie absent-mindedly as he wondered about what his father would tell him.

His role was obviously important; it had been organized at his birth. But then again, anything really important would have been left to Lord Voldemort. Tasks like arranging the war, dealing with Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore, taking over the world…

Draco chuckled cynically to himself. He stared into the flames. The room was silent except for the crackling of the fire.

Maybe I’m supposed to be a spy, or a double agent. Dumbledore has always enjoyed giving me the benefit of the doubt… old fool. Or perhaps they plan to use my talents with potions. Look at the power that’s within my grasp with the project with Professor Snape. I could be Voldemort’s expert. Or his new right hand? Do they want me to succeed father in some way?

 

No. Father would never give up any power.

 

He glanced at the fire again. And suddenly it was filled with his father’s face.

 

“Father,” he exclaimed.

 

“Draco.”

 

Lucius was silent for a moment and Draco found himself fidgeting.

 

“Uh, father, I secured this room with charms. Only I will hear what you tell me.”

 

“Good. I’d prefer to tell you in person, but things didn’t work out last time I brought you to the estate.” He let that sink in for a moment and Draco fidgeted some more.

 

“I told you-”

 

“Silence. That doesn’t matter any more. I don’t trust Dumbledore to mind his own business when I come there, so this medium will have to suffice.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“And I don’t have much time, so listen carefully. I will not repeat myself.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“As you know, since your birth you have been involved in the plans of our Master. Obviously the plans have been thought out and we have been working for years towards this. Our Master’s disappearance for about eleven years was a set-back, but that was why the plan after his visit to Godric’s Hollow was set in motion.”

 

“You mean my role was mapped out after Lord Voldemort encountered Potter as a baby?”

 

“Essentially, yes.” His father gave a terse smile. “Either way, you were to serve his cause. But after that unfortunate incident, plans were set in motion to exact his revenge. Using you, my son.”

 

“Okay…” Draco leaned in closer to the flames.

 

“Our Master is a man of perfection and patience. He was willing to wait. He planned to deal with Potter as soon as possible, but outside circumstances have interfered ever since Potter arrived here at Hogwarts. It’s Dumbledore, the old fool. But none of this matters, because you were always the back up plan.”

 

“I see.”

 

“I’d like to think I’ve trained you well over the years, and prepared you for this.”

 

“Yes, father. You’ve educated me well.”

 

“Nevertheless, the amulet is crucial to the plan.”

 

Draco’s hand flew automatically to the stone around his neck.

 

“What about the amulet?”

 

“It has an ancient, magical history.”

 

“Naturally.”

 

“It enhances your natural talents. It makes you more agile and athletic and lets you think quicker on your feet. You’re stronger and quicker. The effects dissipate after the amulet is removed, but certain skills linger.”

 

“It’s used as a training tool?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“What for?”

 

His father smiled deviously. When Draco was little, he liked to see other people cringe when his father made such a face. He knew it meant his father was about to show his best move.

 

Checkmate.

 

It simply made him uneasy now.

 

“Draco, I need you to pay special attention to your fencing skills. Quidditch too, but your swordplay and dueling spells especially. And your stamina.”

 

“To what end?” he repeated. “Does this have something to do with becoming an assassin for Lord Voldemort or something?”

His father’s grin widened.

“No.”

Draco swallowed thickly. “Does this have to do with Potter?”

“Yes.”

“Am I supposed to lead him to Lord Voldemort?”

His father shook his head.

“Why, haven’t you figured it out yet, my son? You’re destined to kill Harry Potter.”

***

Harry straightened his tie in the mirror quickly. He had never been good at dressing up, and he was sure the knot was too big and lumpy. There was a spell to fix that, if only he could remember…

“Oh, aren’t we dressed up?”

Harry turned to find Dean smiling at him. “Need some help?”

“Yes, thanks,” Harry laughed hopelessly. Dean’s nimble fingers undid the pathetic knot and re-tied it.

“There, much better.”

Harry admired himself in the mirror. The necktie did look like a proper one now.

“Thanks, Dean,” he said and reached for dress robes. He pulled them off the hanger and slipped them on.

Seamus poked his head in the room. “Harry? Dean? Are you ready yet?”

“Yeah,” Dean said and walked towards his friend. Harry nodded as well.

“Where’s Ron?” he asked.

“Believe it or not, he’s already downstairs,” Seamus reported with a grin.

“Wow,” Harry laughed as he stepped out of the dorm and shut the door behind them. Seamus led the way down the stairs and Harry noticed Ron sitting upright on the couch.

Ron stood up and turned around at the sound of their footsteps on the stairs.

“It’s just us,” Seamus told him.

“Hey,” Ron said with a wave.

“Hey,” Harry waved back. He walked over to Ron and looked around. “Are they not down yet?”

“They should be down any minute.”

“You know how Hermione hates to be late,” Seamus pointed out.

“Well, I’m picking up Mandy Brocklehurst outside the Ravenclaw common room, so I’m going to head out,” Dean declared.

“Okay, see you at the dance,” Seamus said, waving. Ron and Harry waved goodbye as well. When they turned back around they were met with three girls descending from the staircase.

Hermione came down first. She wore a pale blue floor length gown with cap sleeves. Her hair was swept up atop her head with a few wispy curls tickling the back of her neck and the side of her face. She smiled nervously at Seamus.

“I hope this isn’t too formal for Hallowe’en.”

He stepped forward to take her hand, grinning all the way.

“I shouldn’t think so.”

“You look beautiful, Hermione,” Harry smiled. Ron nodded in agreement.

“Hey, what about me?”

The boys’ attention turned to Lavender who was giving them a wounded look. She smoothed down her lacy red dress with care. Harry thought it looked quite nice on her.

Ron seemed to agree. He walked towards her, apparently speechless. She smiled at him and he finally managed to speak.

“You look gorgeous.”

Lavender gave a laugh and took his hand. “And Ginny?” She glanced behind her.

Harry caught Ginny’s eye; she smiled shyly. His glance flickered down over her dress. It was dark green and slinky. She wore a delicate choker which had a matching green stone dangling from it. Harry could tell Ginny had spent a lot of time picking out her outfit and, not for the first time that day, he felt guilty. Guilt seemed to be his only motivation for going along with Ron’s stupid plan in the first place. He felt guilty that he had been preoccupied with himself and Draco and that he had neglected his friends. He felt guilty that Ginny was infatuated and he didn’t return the feeling. And now he felt horribly guilty for leading her on.

Because Draco was right.

He was no better than Tom Riddle.

He was using Ginny. Using her to appease Ron’s brotherly concern, using this night as an excuse for saying he took her out at least once…

…and using her to forget Draco.

Because he was so tired of everything right now.

And that was why he had tried to be positive today. He was going to concentrate on enjoying himself tonight. Ginny was his friend, so this issue was probably being overstated. He was looking forward to an opportunity to forget about everything and just enjoy the Hallowe’en festivities.

Tomorrow was another Gryffindor-Slytherin match; but he had flown in several of these already. This game wouldn’t contain the surprises of the last one; this time he knew Draco had the amulet, he knew what to expect.

He gave a lighthearted laugh. “Lavender, you’re so subtle. Yes, Ginny - you look beautiful.”

Ginny beamed at him and stepped forward.

“You don’t look too bad yourself, Harry.” She smiled at the rest of the group. “I guess we should get going.”

“Definitely,” Hermione agreed, her arm linked with Seamus’. “You all must see how the hall turned out. It’s lovely!”

“Hermione,” Seamus grinned. “It’s Hallowe’en - it’s supposed to be ghastly, not lovely.”

“Oooh, don’t jinx us,” Lavender whispered.

“Weird things do tend to occur on Hallowe’en,” Ron mused.

“As I remember it, two foolish first years saved me from a troll and we became best friends,” Hermione responded with a grin.

“Oh, don’t provoke him,” Harry said. “Let’s get going.”

The group exited the Gryffindor common room and joined the groups of students making their way to the hall. In the distance they could hear the music playing and people giggling.

***

“Draco, what’s wrong with you? You could at least dance with me.”

Draco shrugged Pansy Parkinson off, as he had been doing all night. He had been ignoring her and every other Slytherin in the hall.

“Draco!”

She grabbed his arm, violently pulling him into a corner. He felt her nails digging into his skin under his jacket, but he could not care less. He looked at her blankly.

That’s how he felt. Blank.

“Draco Malfoy, what on earth is wrong with you tonight?” she asked angrily. “I realize we’re not going out or anything, but for appearances I would think you could muster some civility.”

“Oh, shove off,” he muttered irritably. “Do you really think us dancing together is crucial to the plans?”

She didn’t waver in her conviction. “Yes. Because you’re practically on another planet tonight. You haven’t talked with anyone or even made fun of any of the stupid Hufflepuffs. You’ve been simply staring into nothingness, brooding over your glass of sparkling pumpkin juice, and people are starting to notice.”

“I’m not in the mood to join these other idiots on the dance floor. And I was simply thinking about the game tomorrow.”

“What? Are you worried about it?”

His eyes narrowed at her. “No. I was simply imagining how we’re going to pound those Gryffindors into the sodding pitch.”

A hint of a grin appeared on Pansy’s face. “Good. Why don’t you dance with me while you contemplate it?”

Draco contemplated this for a moment. Pansy did have a point; he was acting oddly. People were starting to notice. That was the last thing he needed getting back to his father.

“Fine. But just one.”

“Just one…” Pansy repeated, slyly pulling him out of the dark corner onto the dance floor as Celestina Warbeck began to sing a slow song.

***

“I never knew there were so many ways to decorate for Hallowe’en,” Seamus joked as he danced with Hermione. “ ‘Formal and elegant’, for example.”

“Oh?” Hermione asked with a smile.

“Really. These are very sophisticated decorations. Much better than the usual hovering jack-o-lanterns.”

Hermione laughed. “Well, we did have a theme this time. And none of the ghosts would have approved of hovering jack-o-lanterns.”

“And I noticed you all changed the ceiling enchantment.”

“Yes, it was part of the plan, but I’m really glad since it started pouring about an hour ago. It looks like a big rainstorm; it’s still raining hard now.”

“True. I like this new ceiling. I feel like we’re in a medieval castle or something… but it’s a haunted castle.”

“Seamus?”

“Yes?”

“We are. It’s Hogwarts.”

This time Seamus laughed. “Whatever. Can’t you just take a compliment?”

“Oh, was there a compliment in there?” Hermione asked slyly. In response Seamus spun her around and then pulled her close.

“Of course! You are....” he paused, collecting his thoughts. “You are dressed so lovely tonight, but the truth is you are beautiful every time I see you.”

Hermione looked at Seamus in surprise. She wasn’t sure how to respond, but Seamus didn’t give her the chance.

“I think I’ve admired you since we first met. You were always the smart one in class, but you were more than that. You’re brave, you’re loyal… and you’re beautiful. I can’t believe you’re here with me.”

Hermione smiled at him. “I don’t even know what to say to that, except I can’t imagine being here with anyone else. You make me laugh and smile, you’re intelligent and resourceful and quite handsome. Oh, and then there’s the…”

“…the…?” Seamus questioned.

“The sexy accent,” Hermione joked.

Seamus raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Oh, you think my voice is sexy, do you?”

“Definitely,” Hermione grinned.

“Well, at least I know the root of the attraction,” Seamus said wryly.

Hermione rolled her eyes and then noticed the Grey Lady floating by as Seamus turned her around.

“Oh! The Grey Lady, I didn’t think she’d come. She’s so reclusive.”

Seamus turned his head to see who she was talking about. He turned back to Hermione and smiled knowingly.

“Okay, okay, I give up. What did you find out about the Grey Lady?”

Hermione smiled secretly. “Oh no, it’s too ghastly to share. Even on Hallowe’en.”

“That good, eh?”

Hermione winked and then leaned in even closer. “She was the Lady Glamis.”

“Scotland?” Seamus wrinkled his nose. “Wasn’t Macbeth the Thane of Glamis?”

“Uh… yeah, he was actually. But that has nothing to do with her,” Hermione replied. “You sure you want to hear this?”

Seamus grinned. “I’m prepared.”

“She was buried alive.”

Seamus recoiled slightly in surprise. “What?”

“She was buried alive.”

“That’s horrible!”

“I know. But then again, Sir Nick and the Bloody Baron hardly met pleasant ends themselves.”

“You know, it’s not surprising Hogwarts had a chamber of secrets hiding a basilisk, when you think about the other horrors here. Our house mascots were murdered or buried alive!”

“It is rather odd… but Hogwarts is simply full of history like many other old castles. I just think it’s weird that it’s so hard to find information on the ghosts.”

“Maybe they don’t want us to be pondering the horrible ways in which those before us died,” Seamus said logically. “I mean, think of those poor Ravenclaws! ‘Famous for wit, learning and being buried alive!’ ”

Hermione nudged him with a wry smile. “Oh, don’t exaggerate.”

Seamus feigned indignation.

“Let’s just forget I mentioned this,” Hermione said with a laugh. “I liked our conversation before better.”

“I agree,” Seamus whispered as Celestina Warbeck began singing a slow song.

***

The song ended, to Draco’s immense relief. He moved to extract himself from Pansy.

“Come on, Draco,” Pansy pouted. “Let’s keep on dancing.”

“I said one song.”

“Relax, try to have a little fun.”

Draco suppressed a snort as he looked around the hall. “This is hardly my idea of fun.”

Pansy smirked and pulled him closer, her lips almost touching his. “We can fix that,” she purred. He let her begin to kiss him before pulling away and wiping his lips with the back of his hand.

“No thanks,” he muttered, turning on her. He was now staring across the dance floor and noticed Hermione dancing with Seamus. He looked away to keep from gagging and noticed, instead, Harry. Harry talking to Ginny. Harry laughing with Ginny. Harry moving across the room to the drink table to get Ginny a drink.

Fuck.

***

“Yes, I remember the poem. But a lot more important things happened that year,” Harry grinned. “Don’t be embarrassed.”

Ginny was obviously embarrassed. Her cheeks were flushed and she kept looking at the floor.

“I felt so stupid. The minute I sent it - ugh. I could’ve kicked myself.”

“It wasn’t that bad. It could’ve been worse, I guess,” Harry laughed. Ginny joined in.

“Oh? Like someone else hearing it? Perhaps Malfoy and the whole hallway?”

“Okay, I see your point,” Harry smiled, remembering the whole scene vividly.

They both laughed again, and Harry forced himself not to think about Draco. Or the fact that he was more attracted to Draco than any of the girls here. That thought which had been plaguing the back of his mind ever since he’d found himself alone with Draco in various situations…

“We’ve all changed a lot since then,” Harry said sagely. Ginny nodded.

“I guess. Except Malfoy, of course. He’s still a bastard.”

Harry bit his lip. He’d been enjoying himself. They had all started off talking, joking and snacking and then Ron and pulled Lavender away to dance. Seamus and Hermione had soon followed. He had felt obliged to lead Ginny in at least a few dances, so they had. But he had made excuses as quickly as was decent, so now they were back to talking.

All had been going well. He hadn’t thought of Draco once; he hadn’t even bothered to search him out across the hall.

And then Ginny had to bring him up. Twice.

Harry suddenly remembered the image of Draco kissing Ginny.

He cringed.

“Well, Malfoy isn’t worth the breath it takes to mention him.”

Ginny nodded silently, possibly sensing that Harry was uncomfortable with the subject.

“You’re right,” she said finally, with a nervous smile. “So…”

“So…” Harry repeated aimlessly. “Want a drink? I’ll go get us some drinks.”

With that he hurried away, hoping to focus on anything but Draco and to think of something to tell Ginny. As a friend. Only a friend.

***

“Did you get a letter from your father, or something?” Pansy asked, obviously trying not to appear to offended at Draco’s actions. He turned back to her and shook his head.

“No, this has nothing to do with him. He’s not why I don’t want you.”

Pansy gaped at him, as if he had just slapped her. After a moment her eyes narrowed and she glared at him.

“You better be careful what you say,” she snarled at him. “We’re in some of this together. I’d hate for your father to find out how you’ve been behaving.”

“Don’t try to threaten me,” Draco replied.

“Why would I threaten you, dear Draco? We’re on the same side. I know about you.”

Draco gave a hollow laugh at this statement.

“You know nothing,” he hissed as he walked away.

***

“Ooooh, Malfoy must’ve just said something nasty to Pansy Parkinson,” Seamus reported as they waltzed by the Slytherin side of the hall.

“I’m sure she deserved it,” Hermione replied dryly. Seamus smirked.

“Are you taking Malfoy’s side?”

“No!” she exclaimed. “They’re both evil, so I’m sure they belong together.”

“Must be a lover’s quarrel,” Seamus suggested. Hermione laughed.

“Actually, I rarely see them together. I don’t think they’re a couple. I think it’s just a Slytherin thing: they’re the premier pureblood couple so they get dusted off and paraded out for every occasion.”

“In that case, they must be dusting off frost,” Seamus remarked as he watched Malfoy hiss back at Pansy and then walk away.

“Does it matter?” Hermione said softly. “I’m so sick of Malfoy and all the problems he’s caused.”

“Same here; let’s ignore him.”

“Deal.”

“We should seal the deal.”

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him. “Oh? How?”

Seamus leaned in slowly and kissed her.

***

Harry walked over to the food and drink tables and glanced over the various punchbowls.

“Hey, Harry!”

He looked across the table and smiled at Dean. “Hey, Dean! Enjoying yourself?”

“Oh yeah,” Dean grinned. “I was just grabbing some refreshments for Mandy and me. We’re taking a break from dancing.”

“Good choice,” Harry laughed. “Enjoy yourself.”

“You too! Tell Ginny hi,” Dean said and then returned to his table.

Not a second later he felt someone tap him on the shoulder and he turned around.

“Ron!”

“Hey, how’s it going?” He made a point of looking over at Ginny, and Harry followed his gaze. Lavender was over there now, speaking to her. They were both laughing.

“Good.” Harry looked back at Ron. “You don’t have to check up on me, you know.”

Ron smiled guiltily. “I know… I wasn’t I just…”

“Yeah,” Harry finished with a good-natured laugh. “It looks like you and Lavender are having a good time.”

“Oh, yeah, we are,” he replied, grateful for the change of subject. “We’ve just been talking and dancing… thought we’d take a quick drink break.”

“Good plan.”

“Doesn’t look like Hermione and Seamus will be taking a break anytime soon,” Ron said. Harry followed his friend’s gaze curiously. He found the couple just in time to see them kiss.

“Oh, wow. This is serious.”

“A kiss? Serious?” Ron forced a chuckle. “Hardly, Harry. It’s just a kiss.”

Harry had a sneaking suspicion that Ron wasn’t as okay with Hermione going out with Seamus then he’d like to think. He considered mentioning something about it, but just then Lavender reappeared by Ron’s side.

“Ready for another dance?”

“Uh... sure,” Ron replied with a strained smile. He gave Harry an almost desperate look as Lavender pulled him out to the dance floor.

Harry smiled to himself and reached for two cups. He set them on the table in front of him and moved to grab the ladle in the sparkling pumpkin juice.

Someone walked up next to him and grabbed the ladle first. Harry looked up in surprise and found himself eye to eye with Draco.

***

“Potter-”

Harry didn’t let Draco finish. He broke eye contact and grabbed the ladle out of the Draco’s hand.

“Potter-”

“I don’t understand you, Malfoy. You tell me to leave you alone, and yet here you are again. I’m not talking to you.”

“What do you know about fighting?” Draco asked.

“What? What are you talking about? No - wait. I don’t want to know. Bye, Malfoy.”

Draco stared at the Gryffindor. He must have had a bizarre look in his eyes, because Harry paused for a moment.

“If this is about the Quidditch game...” Harry began.

“Quidditch,” Draco spat out contemptuously. How could Harry be so trivial at a time like this? Didn’t he know?

No, he didn’t. Not really, anyway.

“Quidditch,” Harry restated, “and some classes are going to be the only times I’m within a few yards of you. I’m not going to fight with you; I’m not going to play your little games. Run off and be a Death Eater, and I’ll be fighting you soon enough.”

Draco wanted to say something else, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t let himself. And then, Harry was gone. He walked away with out bothering to fill up the glasses of sparkling pumpkin juice properly and headed towards Ginny. Draco clenched his fingers into fist and took a deep breath.

What would we have told Harry? Nothing that would have helped either of them. He had to think more about this; he needed more time. The last few hours had passed in a daze; he hardly remembered meeting Pansy and escorting her here. It was all a blur.

His mind hadn’t stopped turning since his father had told him the news. They all thought he was going to kill Harry Potter, did they? They all thought he was a tool - a weapon - to be used to do the bloody deed. They all thought he would make the sacrifice and be grateful for it.

He was supposed to be honored. He was supposed to feel important, and a sense of duty and loyalty to his father and Lord Voldemort.

They all must have thought he was stupid.

He would have to be stupid to follow along blindly.

And he wasn’t stupid.

Oh no. A plan was already forming in his mind as his eyes followed Harry’s retreating back. He didn’t want to think too much about his motivation for it right now, obviously, but what was new? And he couldn’t let that matter anyway now. All that mattered was talking to Harry - getting through to him.

How he was going to do that, after the lengths he had taken to sever all ties, was going to be difficult. But he wasn’t in Slytherin for nothing.

Feeling like he had more of a plan and more of a grip on reality, Draco turned around quickly, ready to return to his Slytherin housemates.

He spun around and almost walked into someone, or, actually, through someone. He glanced up at the ghostly figure of Nearly Headless Nick.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said blandly after a moment. Sir Nicholas peered down at him curiously.

“Oh, it’s you,” he repeated. “The young Malfoy.”

“Yeah,” Draco replied with a hint of snobbery and moved to walk away from the Gryffindor ghost. He halted when he noticed how intently Sir Nicholas was looking at him.

He followed the apparition’s eyes and instinctively his hand went to his throat. He felt the amulet in his hand, cool to his hot touch. It had escaped from his collar. He shoved it back under his shirt and glared at Sir Nicholas.

“It’s rude to stare,” he declared haughtily as he resumed his progress towards the Slytherins. This time it was Sir Nicholas’ voice that stopped him. 

“My, my, young Mr. Malfoy. I haven’t seen that necklace in quite some time.”

Draco felt his heart rate quicken and turned slowly back to face the ghost. He wondered if he had turned as pale as Sir Nicholas himself.

“I doubt you’ve ever seen it,” he remarked snidely, trying to hide his anxiety. And curiosity.

The ghost simply smiled at him sadly. “I wish I could agree.”

Draco shook his head quickly and began backing up. He suddenly didn’t want to hear any more from Sir Nicholas. He didn’t want to know, and he didn’t want to believe the ghost actually recognized the amulet. If he did then, what would keep him from telling everybody?

Sir Nicholas seemed to sense his anxiety and glided closer to him.

“Hold on, young Malfoy. Your secret is safe with me. But, I just have one question.”

“W-what?” Malfoy gulped.

“Does the Bloody Baron know you have his old necklace?”

*********

NOTES ON TEXT: The story about The Grey Lady being the ghost of Lady Glamis comes from Horrible Histories: Cruel Kings and Mean Queens by Terry Deary.

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