The Girl in the Tower

The Girl in the Tower

Chapter 15: The Anger and the Eloquence

Harry eyed Malfoy from across the room. "Why does he have to be here? I still don't understand."

Sara glanced at Malfoy, in the parlor sitting with Snape and drinking a glass of eggnog spiked with some of Seamus' finest. He was dressed all in black, looked depressed, and drank more than he talked. Occasionally, he glanced in Sara's direction and had turned his eyes from Harry's several times. Brittany, the little third year, as well as Neville had recently gone to bed and Dumbledore had also retired for the night. Now it was just the three of them and Snape, who seemed to be keeping up with Draco when it came to eggnog. "Harry, I didn't think you of all people would want someone who had recently lost their mother to spend Christmas Eve alone in the dungeons."

"I don't want that, even for Malfoy, I just don't understand why it had to be with us." He cracked a smile and she laughed a little.

"I think you need more eggnog. What is that, your second in three hours?"

"My first. I just don't feel like it, I guess. Hey, I almost forgot!" He went to the closet and rummaged in his backpack, returning with a gift for her.

"But we have to wait for morning!"

"This is an extra. An afterthought I suppose."

She unwrapped it and laughed. "I knew you already had Ron's present, Harry, you liar! I'm glad you lied. I really wanted this but couldn't buy stuff for myself on Christmas Eve. You're too good to me."

"Your whole face lit up when you saw it." Harry smiled when she hugged him.

"Did you get Malfoy a present?"

Harry turned red with anger. "Yes."

"He got you something, too." Sara tried to smile but understood how awkward this situation must be for Harry and for Draco as well. She grew quiet for a moment, studying the floor, and when she finally looked at Harry again her face was distraught. "I'm not in love with him."

Harry smiled, amused. "I know that."

Her shoulders relaxed and she smiled a little.

"Come on," he said and put a leading arm around her shoulders. "Let's get ready for bed."

Malfoy approached when he saw they were about to leave the room and the serpent armband came to life in Sara's hands. It struck out at Draco, baring its gold fangs and Malfoy leapt back.

"What the hell!" he yelled, surprised.

Harry grinned. "Oh, I forgot, I put a charm on it as well."

Sara laughed, but Draco gave Harry a cold sneer. "You know, Potter, I do remember everything. Payback's a bitch."

"What's with you and Muggle clichés?" Harry smirked.

"I do read, you know. Maybe you should try it sometime, you might learn something."

Sara interjected before they could get on a roll. "We were just getting our PJ's on. Maybe you should do the same. It's getting late."

"Ok." Malfoy smiled at her. "But I was wondering if I could talk to you for just a minute. In private." He gave Harry an annoyed glance.

Sara's face darkened. "Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

Draco said nothing, just looked uncomfortable. Sara sighed and turned to Harry. "Do you mind? I'll just be a minute."

Sara led Draco onto the roof and closed the doors so they would be in the open and visible through the glass. "Well Malfoy?" She turned to face him. "What's on your mind?"

"So it's Malfoy again, is it?"

"Hasn't it always been?"

"You called me Draco Friday. I guess it just sounds nice coming from you. A little less harsh. You're angry with me. Why?"

"I'm not angry." Sara sighed. "It's just that I don't think now is a good time. He knows, Malfoy. I don't know how he found out and he hasn't even said anything, but he's different with me now. He's walking on eggshells."

"But who told him? Snape came right after us and watched the door, according to him, and he certainly wouldn't tell Potter."

She started pacing before him. "Maybe it's just that I danced with you all night. Lots of people saw that, even Seamus asked me about that, but Ron said Harry never came back from talking to Ginny. She came back alone. The raven was there, though." Sara hesitated. "I talked to your father earlier today. Malfoy, he threatened me. He'll kill you if we get any closer than we are right now. I hate him. There must be a way to get rid of him. I'll go crazy if I don't." She took a deep breath. "And he knows it's Harry for sure now. The raven was watching me all night and I never knew it."

"What did he do? What happened?"

"We were alone in the back of the pub by Knockturn Alley. We had a drink and, as I said, he threatened me in a hundred ways. He didn't do anything. He could have, but didn't."

"What do you mean he could have?"

"I mean exactly that." Sara stopped pacing and looked at him. "There are things about Elementals that most people don't know. Before my grandmother, who lived in Romania, passed away, she sent me copies of all the ancient books and scrolls about Elementals that told me everything I needed to know. Did you know that the Elemental is always female? That she always has a profound artistic talent, is a strong Diviner and is often moved to cry? Many have gone mad trying to suppress overactive emotions, the artistic outlet they possess being sorely inadequate, and my black streak is not normal, just a very rare magical phenomenon. Did you know that the Elemental also has a Dark side? We are drawn to danger and are perilously curious about Dark things. We're easily drawn in by it, all the while thinking we could walk away untouched by it. Malfoy, genetics have left me with little defense against someone like your father. If not for my will and my sense of right and wrong, I'd have none."

Malfoy looked sympathetic. "I didn't know any of that but it stresses the point, I think. Sara, my father won't go away. You need help. Go to Dumbledore."

"Never."

"Then tell Harry."

"I can't. This is not his problem. Besides, I've put him in enough danger just by associating with him."

"And he's blind to it! Don't you think he should know there's a threat against him?"

"And what kind of person would I be if I couldn't resist Lucius on my own? A person worthy of Harry? Hardly. I will win this thing, even if one of us has to die for it."

"Do you really think that's the wisest choice? You don't have to go it alone. You can still win on your own terms, but with your friends behind you. Besides, it isn't like you to be so independent. I remember the way you hid behind Harry in the hall that day and, at Slytherin Spirits, you clung to Granger and hid behind Weasel. You desperately seek protection. Suddenly you decide to test yourself and risk everything to do it? Doesn't it make more sense that this is your weakness speaking to you? Convincing you to wait and see what happens? Sara, Snape was right when he said my father was no one to play with. You need to tell someone."

"I did," she said, getting defensive. "I told you."

"What am I supposed to do? I certainly can't control my father. I assumed you knew that."

"If I need help, I'll ask for it. Don't worry about it. I have the Orb of Arassel and the strength of two great wizards around my neck."
"It didn't help you this afternoon."

"I wasn't wearing it."

"It's not enough. You need Aurors."

"The Elemental? Needs Aurors? I can protect myself, I assure you."

"You're crazy."

Sara grew impatient. "You brought me out here for a reason. What was it?"

"I, um, I guess I just wanted to tell you that I don't expect anything. You know, after the Yule Ball. I know you'd had a lot to drink. Snape thinks we're practically engaged but I know you're heart's set on that idiot Potter. I was hoping we could still be friends."

"Of course. I don't resent you, Malfoy. I just feel really awful about what I did to Harry. All that aside, I can't help thinking I chose my betrayal well." She smiled and he relaxed and finally grinned.

"It certainly was a worthy betrayal. I agree completely. Unfortunately, one I could repeat again and again."

She smiled again, saddened. "Then it will have to be only in your thoughts. It can never happen again."

"I know." Draco sighed. "But I want you to know you really made my century."

He smiled and she laughed. "Come on, Draco, let's go inside."

"Wait. I have something for you. Your Christmas present."

"In the morning."

"No. Not in front of your boyfriend." He pulled a tiny box from his pocket. "It's to say thanks for everything I guess."

She turned her back to the doors and opened it. Inside was a tiny ring covered in diamonds and curious lavender stones. "Are those-"

"Purple diamonds. I thought they were nice. I guess they're pretty rare."

"It's beautiful." She put it on. "Thank you."

He smiled and moved to the doors, laying a hand on the handle. Sara slipped the little box into her pocket and went in.

* * *

Harry was playing John Lennon's "Happy X-mas, War is Over" for the millionth time that night and appeared to be having a pleasant conversation with Snape, who also loved the Beatles, and the two of them were discussing which songs they liked best. They stopped short when Draco wandered over. Sara slipped her hand into Harry's and took up her eggnog, finishing it off.

Draco announced he would be right back and disappeared down the hallway.

When he returned, he was over-laden with gift bags and wearing dark green satin pajamas with a black silk robe and monogrammed slippers. His blond hair drifted around his shoulders. Harry burst out laughing and Sara thought Draco looked like someone she'd like to curl up next to. Sara turned away and bit her lip, crushing the thought and internally berating herself for her inappropriate mental wanderings. She didn't like Malfoy that way, yet he affected her somehow and she hated it. He was pitiful next to Harry. Draco was good looking in a flashy sort of way and the evil that lingered in him drew her against her will, but Harry was intense. He was electric. She squeezed his hand. "Come on, let's get changed."

They entered the dressing room where Harry kept his pajamas, a spare set of clothes and a school uniform just in case he overslept, which had happened once or twice when they'd stayed up too late playing around under the covers. It was with this thought that she closed the door and he pushed her up against it, crashing into her as she met the kiss with surprise and returned it with fervor.

* * *

Finding herself pinned against the floor, Sara sighed as he kissed her. "Harry, there are people waiting for us."

"Slytherins," he mumbled. "Drunk Slytherins."

"Oh get off!" Sara laughed and shoved him onto his side. "We'll be going to bed soon enough and I prefer that to the floor. Restrain yourself for 20 minutes!"

"Unfortunately, restraint is something I'm running a little short on. You might have to employ an armed guard soon." He grinned, head propped on his elbow. "Hey, you want to make Christmas really special this year?"

A rude voice came bellowing through the door, startling them both. It was Malfoy. "Hey! What are you doing? Sewing Potter some real pajamas?"

"Go away!" Harry yelled.

"Come out of there! We're bored!"

Sara clamped a hand over Harry's mouth, giggled, and yelled a reply. "We'll be right out!"

"What'd you do that for? I had a really good comeback."

Sara stood and helped him up. "Harry? Find the nicest pajamas you have and shut him up will you?"

Harry found some and changed without taking his eyes off her as she slipped a white silk nightgown over her head and brought a dark red robe around her shoulders.

When they re-emerged, Snape and Draco were looking bored and pretending to be interested in what they were discussing. They were in Sara's bedroom, which was really just a medium sized open space with a half-partition and a step down separating it from the parlor. (The rooms themselves, as well as the storage room across the hall, were actually built on top of the roof itself but turned down into the tower via the narrow stone staircase at the end of the hall, once meant for house-elves. The storage room set back against the edge of the roof, like the iris of a cartoon eye, leaving a huge crescent of rooftop on Sara's side.)

Draco laughed his approval when he saw Harry. "Good choice, Potter. Now how about something Sara didn't pick out?"

"Cotton with an ugly print, I'm afraid."

"How did I know?" Draco smirked.

They sat in the parlor for a half hour, talking and drinking eggnog. Snape had played the Beatles again and that seemed to be fine with everyone. A flock of owls and one macaw flew in together, dropping gifts in front of the tree. Harry and Sara hurried over to look at them, declaring they were from Ron and Hermione.

"Harry, this one's for you." Sara handed him a package in Seamus' sloppy script.

This he set aside. Harry picked up a small box and looked dumbfounded. He just sat there staring down at it in consideration.

"What is it?"

"It's from the Dursleys."

"Just throw it away, then." Sara scowled. She'd heard from Ron that they sent him things like tissues, used socks, and coat hangers and called them gifts. "Give it to me. I'll go throw it off the roof." She held out her hand but he tore the brown wrapping instead. There was a letter on top of the box and he picked this up, setting the rest aside. Sara settled back and waited to be angry, thinking of all the things she could say in a letter to his cursed aunt and uncle. Snape knew all the stories of course, and Draco was interested solely because Sara got so upset over it.

Harry read aloud.

Harry,

A few months after your parents died, we received this from a repair shop in London. Your father had taken it in to be fixed but never picked it up. We'd forgotten all about it but last week your uncle found it in the attic.

Do something about that repulsive owl of yours. It came here on Saturday and refused to leave.

Aunt Petunia

"It's something of my father's!" Harry told Sara and quickly had the box, pulling off the lid. "It's a gold watch." He smiled and took it in his hands. "My father's watch."

"Good thing I didn't throw it off the roof."

"There's something engraved on the back." His eyes were pained but his expression warm as he brushed his thumb over the wording.

"Harry, what does it say?"

His voice was hushed when he finally spoke. "To James on our first anniversary, Love Lily." He smiled at Sara, took the watch and left the room. No one went after him.

* * *

Harry lay asleep in Ron and Hermione's room, the watch on the nightstand where he would see it as soon as he opened his eyes.

Sara was restless. She had never seen Harry so deeply emotional. He was sad but, at the same time, couldn't be happier. It was an exhausting way to feel and Harry had been snoring when she'd come in. She lay there next to him in the dark, wide awake and thinking of Harry's new watch.

In silence, Sara pulled a velvet cloak around her shoulders and crept from the room, shutting the door behind her as she made her way to her deserted bedroom. Sara found parchment, a quill and a bottle of ink in the desk and sat down at the table to write, the raven watching her through the doors, unseen.

Dear Mrs. Dursley,

I'm not sure why you decided to send Harry his father's watch, but I wanted to thank you. You have no idea what it means to him. He is asleep right now and does not know I'm writing to you but if you could have seen his face, you would understand why I am. Harry needs memories of his parents. He needs their mementos, things he can touch and know them by. However, he also needs acceptance from what little family he has left, whether he knows it or not.

I have to admit, I am confused by the way you spoke to him when we met. You despise him and I can't understand why. Yes, he is what he is but if you knew Harry, you would know he is the best of us all, kind, loyal and courageous. He is patient and understanding and the sort of friend everyone wants to have. A truly wonderful person who is loved by many.

He is famous, did you know? A legend before he could walk and now he's also a hero. Harry has risked his life to save others in peril many times since he came to school here and has received countless special awards, not to mention the respect and admiration of our most beloved leaders. This September, he saved the headmaster's life as well, using a brilliant tactic that never would have occurred to others.

You should see the athlete he is, holding the most coveted position on his house team, of which he is Captain. He has never been outshined. Did you know he was the youngest student appointed to his position in a hundred years? Or that he has received many offers from prestigious national league teams, all of which he turned down? I think there are probably many things you don't know about Harry but how would you? He would never brag, or even think you would care.

I honestly don't know how Harry feels about you but he appreciated his father's watch more than words can express and, for this, you have my unending gratitude. To show my thanks and, hopefully, as a token of friendship, I have enclosed something for you, totally "unaltered," you have my word. After all, we're to be relatives someday.

Happy Christmas,
Sara Lemke

Sara enclosed a picture of Harry and herself at the Criterion, as well as a diamond necklace she didn't really care for and had never worn, still in its velvet box, and gave the letter to Hedwig, who took it with hesitation.

"Don't worry, girl." She soothed and petted the bird's head. "Just put it through the mail slot. No personal delivery necessary. Thank you, Hedwig. I know you just got home from that dreadful place."

She poured a strong drink, hoping it would put her to sleep, got the pack of cigarettes she'd bought in London and carried them onto the roof, still under its warm, weather-repellent bubble. Hedwig rode on her shoulder and flew off when they reached the wall. Sara sipped her drink as she watched the snowy owl become smaller and smaller until she disappeared into the blackness, lost in thought about Harry and how Petunia would receive her letter.

She was thankful there was no one in her rooms. Severus had decided to stay, but they all had rooms in the lower part of the tower tonight. She was thankful for the privacy, glad to be alone while the castle slept, alone with her thoughts and a beautiful, clear night sky.

There was a tapping, a pencil on stone, and she whirled around to find the raven looking back at her from its perch in the shadows.

"You!" she hissed, angered at once by it. "You bear no letter, so what do you want? To spy on me while I get some air? Does this interest you?"

"Actually, yes."

Sara spun, startled, and came face to face with Lucius, there on the roof outside her own door. She opened her mouth to scream but his hand covered it before she could make a sound. She bit down hard on his leather glove and he pulled his arm back, releasing her.

"Get out of here! How dare you come here!"

"I must confess." He smiled in that devilish way that always set her on edge. "I couldn't stop thinking of our little meeting this afternoon." Lucius grabbed her arm and pulled her across the roof, into the shadows at the back wall where, even if someone came out the doors, they still might not be seen. He locked his arm around her as he had at the pub, dropped his gloves to the floor, and ran his cold fingers along her cheek. "My belladonna," he whispered. "I wanted to see you. I meant no intrusion."

"Well it is an intrusion! Do you always just show up on people's roofs? Come to think of it, you probably do since your son also seems to have a problem with front doors. By the way, he's right inside. Perhaps you'd like to say happy Christmas?" She was infuriated by his presence, shaking in fear but her comment reflected on his face for a fraction of a second, her sarcasm sharp and cutting. "He's here with the others like me, orphaned by the menace you serve. He's here, Lucius, because he can't go home. Do you know how that makes me hate you?"

"Always thinking about Draco, are you? What about me? Do you really think I enjoy having my son away from home during the holidays? Especially now that his mother has left us? This rebelling stage he's going through weighs heavy on me as well."

"Cut the crap, Lucius. Did you forget that you threatened to kill him just a few short hours ago? Is every word from your mouth nothing but glamour to cover your hateful lies and treachery? You would kill your own son over a girl! That's the most pathetic thing I've ever heard."

His face became a mask of fury and he slammed her hard against the wall, holding her there while his other hand clamped over her mouth, his fingers biting into her skin, the pressure unbearable.

Sara whimpered under his palm, terrified.

"If you speak of my son again I'll kill you," he seethed.

Suddenly he was flying backward, propelled by a short burst of lightning from Sara's hand, which she thrust hard into his chest. She stood over him where he landed, a smirk on her face, her black streak turned crimson. The roof gave a faint tremor, though she calmed herself before it could wake anyone. The red faded from her hair. "Mr. Malfoy, you do forget your manners."

"I meant what I said."

"Yes and, now that you've threatened to kill half of Hogwarts, am I supposed to take this seriously? I mean, here you are at one in the morning on Christmas, on the roof of a school, stalking a teenaged girl who, not even a week ago, was snogging your only son. Does this make any sense to you? On top of that I'm practically engaged, I despise you, and I could easily kill you right now and call you a malicious prowler, which is exactly what you are. I'll spare you this one time, for Draco, not because I care what becomes of you. Now get up, you look pitiful sitting there on the floor all scratched and tousled."

Lucius stood with grace and straightened his clothes. "There are easier and more interesting ways to be rid of me, Sara." He closed in again.

She was near the wall but refused to back up against it or to shrink from him.

So quick he was, like a cat, that she was caught off guard and found herself crashing hard against the stone under his weight, her wrists pinned beside her as he slid his fingers up to entwine hers as if they were holding hands.

Sara realized too late that she'd been stripped of her only defense. She felt his breath on her neck and shuttered. The desire she'd felt in the pub came trickling back, tiptoeing gingerly up her spine and she felt herself being overcome by it. "You always resort to this." She sighed. "Holding me against my will and trying to soften my resolve with your frostbite kisses. Well, it's not going to work."

When he pulled his fingers away, Sara found her hands were bound to the wall with steel braces, which he must have had hidden in his cloak. Sara felt panic begin to mix with the unwelcome desire, gazing from one hand to the other and half-heartedly testing the resistance of the cold metal. "Bastard!" she hissed at him. "Am I supposed to find this endearing?"

"Am I supposed to believe you're not enjoying yourself?" He smirked and undid the clasp on her velvet cape, letting it fall to the floor and leaving her standing there in her delicate white silk nightgown, unable to do anything but just that. Sliding his hands over the soft, thin fabric, he gently kissed her, his lips a whisper on hers. He almost pulled away and then hesitated.

The desire she felt was electric and Sara fought it back but knew she was losing what little remained of rationality. All she knew was the warmth of his hands, shaking ever so slightly, and the helpless desperation of having him so close to her. She found the loss of control at the hands of her Dark and beautiful enemy exciting and tried to hold on to the last thread of her fleeting resolve.

Sara let her eyes close and tears leaked down her face. Once again, his lips moved closer and she felt the need and the dread of what couldn't be stopped, dissolution of the mental and the physical. She was powerless and cursed the predispositions of the Elemental, the worst weakness of all. Darkness. "Harry," she whispered.

Lucius grinned. She hadn't meant for him to hear, he knew, and decided to use the moment to his advantage. He kissed her, sudden, unexpected, and with the force of authority. Her head struck the stone wall.

Sara was surprised, not expecting it, and returned his kiss, succumbing to every desire she'd ever had regarding Lucius. Relinquishing completely.

The steel binds exploded from the wall under the force of lightning, clearing the roof and descending somewhere on the grounds and Lucius realized she could have freed herself at any time. Her arms went around him, pulling him closer, though he was already so close she could hardly breathe.

Sara pushed him away and spit on the floor in disgust. "Don't ever do that again," she warned. "You're not the only one with a good death threat up their sleeve."

He took a step toward her and she sent him back with a modest burst of lightning, drawn out of the air and directed by her outstretched hand. Enough to hurt, but not enough to take him off his feet again. She circled to his left, moving away from the wall so not to be fooled again and jolted him a second time. "Do you really want to play this game Lucius?" she asked, shaking and adrenalized, touching the Fortificus Charm. Her other hand hung limp at her side. Sara paced before him with a casual air, strangely calm and confident.

Lucius laughed in his sinister and all-knowing way, soft, harsh, but musical. She felt belittled, knowing what he implied and despised him even more.

"I don't play games." His voice was soothing, placid, but with a menacing undertone that Sara couldn't miss. "Come here."

"Get off my roof!" she hissed, fifteen feet from him, her back to the night sky. "Remember, Lucius, I can bring them all with one good scream. Leave now, however you got here!"

"By broom, of course, from Hogsmeade." He grinned his malice. "I'll be going home once I leave here. You have a Portkey. Use it."

"Go to hell, Slytherin! I'd rather die! What would I want with you when I have all I want already?"

"Yes, your little love interest. I believe I've made my feelings on that subject clear. Once more and you'll be remembering the boy who died." He stepped toward her.

Sara stood her ground. She'd been expecting his advance, pushing him toward it really, and raised her arms to the sky, stopping him dead in his tracks. Sara pushed her will into the night, bringing a swift and steady wind down around Lucius as he stood riveted to the spot and she spoke with eloquence in old Romanian.

The wind encircled him, whipping his hair about his head, his clothes flapping and rustling. His serpent-headed cane was ripped from his hand and cast out of the mini tornado, outside of which he could see a faint glimmer of her, coming closer. For perhaps the first time, Lucius found he was frightened, the wind a cyclone of terror and her advancing figure unearthly and surreal.

Sara stepped into the center of the tornado, unaffected as a ghost through a wall and stood before him. Her long hair stirred around her shoulders, her eyes were fierce and severe. She smiled at his vain attempts to hide his fear, holding his broom in her hand.

"Lucius," she whispered in his ear, her voice drifting and angelic as a feather on the breeze. "I never want to see you again."

She kissed the corner of his mouth as she placed the broom in his hands. "Never return here." Sara stepped back through the thick wall of swirling wind, again untouched by it and, with a gesture, threw him off the roof. The tornado around him dispersed back into the night.

Sara hurried into her rooms and closed the doors behind her, stopping to fall against them and catch her breath, thankful Harry was sleeping in Ron and Hermione's room and that Severus wasn't in his favorite spot in front of the fire. She was alone, just as she wanted and needed to be.

Her mother's haunting, honey voice filled the room as Sara went to pour herself a stiff drink, thought again, and got a bottle of Finnegan's Swill from the cabinet instead. She was shaking, unsettled, and adrenaline raced through her until she was dizzy. She dropped into the chair by Harry's side of the bed, where she was well hidden from the glass doors, and took a long drink, watching the lights dance on the Christmas tree. A roaring blaze in the fireplace warmed her cold skin. She'd left her velvet cloak on the roof, but she wouldn't go back for it. She would go in the morning to recover it, in broad daylight.

Sara tipped the bottle again; furious that she was afraid once more to venture out her own door after dark and decided she preferred the threat of Voldemort to Lucius Malfoy. Voldemort, at least, was easier to deal with. Not so gorgeous and impeccable, not so irresistible, nor so charming. She'd wanted to surrender to his unexpected kiss and had lost herself in it for a moment but recovered her senses, thankfully. Harry had drifted into her thoughts. Harry, and everything she loved about him. The very thought of him had given her the strength and all the motivation she'd needed to resist the threat at hand.

Sara sat in silence for a long while, drinking, listening to her mother sing so low and so beautiful. So hauntingly. Occasionally, Sara lifted a hand to wipe tears from her face but it was an hour before she moved.

It was to the couch that she went, loving the feel of the soft leather in the warmth of the fire. She was dazed, unsteady, but still held the bottle and sipped it as she laid there, thinking of Harry and her hatred of Lucius and dreaming of all the things she should have said. Eventually, she drifted off, the bottle slipping from her grip and crashing to the marble, spilling its contents and rolling dangerously close to the flames.

* * *

"Sara!" Harry shook her again. "Sara! SARA!!" His brow furrowed as she stirred only a little and Harry looked toward the hallway over his shoulder in desperation. "PROFESSOR!! MALFOY! SOMEONE GET SNAPE!!"

As he waited, Harry noticed small smudges on either side of her face which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be curious bruises. He studied them for a moment and then stretched his hand over her mouth. The marks coincided with his thumb and middle finger. There were bruises on her upper arm as well, as if someone had gripped her there hard. He found the back of each of her hands was a little scraped and there were second-degree burns on the one hanging off the sofa. Harry didn't get to investigate further because Snape came running into the room with Draco, Neville and Brittany on his heels. It was barely dawn and all wore tired faces.

Snape stopped short and almost caused a pile-up behind him. His jaw dropped at the charred ruins of the coffee table and the little throw rug was also burned. The marble was tarnished in a wide pool of soot and ash.

"What happened?" he demanded as he rushed to bend over Sara, asleep on the couch, her white nightgown dusted with soot as well.

Harry held up the blackened remains of a liquor bottle and Snape gave a brief nod.

"Draco, go to the chest by the bed and bring me the sobering potion and the hang-over potion as well. Brittany, Longbottom? Go to the hospital wing and get a burn salve and some bandages."

They nodded and ran from the room in their pajamas and barefoot.

"This girl, Potter." Snape sighed as he covered her with a blanket. "Is going to drive me totally insane."

Harry sighed as well, resigned. "That makes two of us."

Draco was there, handing the pretty stoppered jars to Snape and regarding Sara with worried eyes. "Is she all right, Professor?"

"Yes, Draco. She's just drunk. And nearly set herself on fire. I wonder how she managed to put this fire out in her state?"

"I don't think she did." Harry pointed at a charred lump on the floor near the edge of the damage.

Draco poked at it. "What is it?"

"A tea towel."

* * *

Sara said that Christmas depressed her and that's why she'd been drinking again. Harry made it clear in silence that he did not believe her but she neither apologized nor offered any other explanation. Snape was the caring father figure, smiling with sympathetic eyes as he bandaged her burn. Draco paced in the background, occasionally stopping to gaze down at her, looking flustered and on edge.

"Where did those bruises come from?" Harry demanded. "Who did that to you?"

"I... I must have fallen."

As Draco went onto the roof, Harry glowered at her, knowing she was lying, knowing someone had attacked her. After all, the marks were a testament to that. Why wouldn't she tell him? Harry thought she trusted him with anything! He held her guilty, downcast eyes in silence and then stormed out of the room. "I'm getting dressed," he mumbled.

Snape finished wrapping Sara's hand as Draco returned with her velvet cloak folded over his arm. He came to stand over her and their eyes connected. He was furious and she grew worried. Severus, wanting them to have privacy, left the room at once.

"You seem to have dropped this," Draco said. "Right next to the war zone." Her eyes grew wide and he continued. "Don't worry, I cleaned it up. And of course I'll hide this." He pulled the cloak aside just enough for her to see he held the snake headed cane, snapped in two. "Nothing a little Reparo won't fix but Sara, I won't keep this secret forever. I refuse to be a silent witness to your eventual demise. You need to go tell Potter what happened. He knows you're lying anyway, just in case you missed that."

"I didn't miss it." She grew distraught again and fell back against the soot-dusted pillow. "I can't tell him. Not today."

"Fine. Understandable even but you'll tell him soon or I'm afraid I'll have to betray your trust."

Sara looked up, sharp and afraid. "You wouldn't!"

"Only if you leave me with no choice. I don't want to see anything happen to you and, right now, you're making the wrong decisions. I need to go hide this." Draco walked out of the room without waiting for her response.

Snape took his cue as Draco passed through the hall and hurried back to the blistered sofa, leaning over to survey its damage, running a hand over the ruined leather. "Well, this will need replacing and you'll need a new table but I'm sure I can find one in the storage room for you."

"Harry will get it later. Don't trouble yourself." Sara smiled at him as he fixed her blanket and poured her another glass of water. "Severus? Do you think there's something wrong with me? I know that's a strange question, but I don't know why I act as I do. I don't mean to."

Snape stopped rearranging the blanket and sat by her knees, facing her. He laid a hand over hers and gave it a gentle pat. "You have a lot on your mind, my dear. You're troubled. There's nothing wrong with you. All you need is a constructive way to deal with your emotions." He struggled a little and his awkward discomfort showed on his face, eliciting a sweet, adoring smile from Sara. The sarcasm leaked back into his voice. "Incinerating yourself isn't going to solve anything."

"Now there's the Severus I know and love!" Sara grinned. "I thought you were turning into the school guidance counselor for a moment there."

Snape smiled and stood, relieved that she'd lightened the conversation.

"Help me up, Severus. It's Christmas morning and we have gifts to open. I just need to freshen up a little."

* * *

Harry grabbed Draco's arm and spun him around. "What are you doing? Why are you taking Sara's cloak into your room?" Harry was angry and looking at Draco with suspicion. "What are you hiding?"

"Shove off, Potter," Draco sneered and glanced, deliberate, at Harry's hand, clutching him hard just above the elbow. "I was going to return this on my way back, now get off!" Draco ripped his arm from Harry's grip and stepped back.

"Did you leave those marks on her, Malfoy? Because if you did-"

"I did no such thing!" Draco shouted. "You're out of your mind!"

"If you laid a hand on her you'll regret it, Draco, I swear to you will."

"I didn't do anything! What in Merlin's name is wrong with you? You're acting like a maniac and it's really unbecoming."

In a flash, Harry grabbed the cloak and whisked it away, leaving Draco standing there, holding the sinister snake-headed cane and thinking things had just taken a most unfortunate turn.

Harry was stunned for a moment, trying to make sense of the highly recognizable and broken object in Draco's hand. "Explain that, then!"

"Well, I um..."

Harry lunged and plowed him into the wall, the cane tumbling to the floor as Draco tried to defend himself, shoving Harry back, not knowing if he should punch him or try to calm him down. The answer came when Harry's fist connected with his lower jaw.

Tumbling to the floor, Draco hardly heard Harry's bellowing threats. He fought back as he'd been taught and knew he should be winning but Harry's blind fury somehow gave him the advantage. Draco was taking a beating.

Chaos and noise surrounded them though they were oblivious to it and Sara was there, pulling Harry away and pleading with him to stop. Draco felt strong hands reach under his arms and drag him out of Potter's reach.

Draco's heart was pounding and blood leaked from his lip as he watched Sara fall to the floor and wrap both arms around Harry to hold him back. "Harry, stop it!" she pleaded. "It's not his fault!"

"Stop trying to protect him!" Harry yelled, furious. "We're the only one's here! Who else could it be? And there he is sneaking off with that under your cloak!" Harry pointed a damning finger at the cane on the floor by the wall.

"I asked him to hide it, okay? He didn't do anything wrong and you're beating him up!"

Draco was indignant. "I hardly think so! Malfoys don't get beat up by the likes of Harry Potter!"

"I'd be glad to finish the job, snake. Just say the word."

Snape growled at Harry over his shoulder as he examined a cut on Draco's forehead. "That's enough out of you, Potter!" He turned his eyes to Sara. "Although I would like to know how Lucius Malfoy's belongings came to be here and you never did explain those bruises."

Neville and Brittany stood off to the side and Sara sighed. All eyes were on her and they were impatient. "I couldn't sleep, so I went out on the roof and he was waiting. He covered my mouth so I wouldn't scream. I struggled and he grabbed my arm and demanded to see Draco, but I told him to leave." Sara took a deep breath and then continued. "He tried to scare me I guess, but I managed to get rid of him with a little lightning and a rather intimidating wind charm I know. It's really not a big deal. I handled the problem and no one would have known if I hadn't set the couch on fire." She did her best to appear vindicated, yet embarrassed and thought she'd done a decent job of it. "It's why he wanted to talk to me yesterday. He wanted me to deliver a message, and Draco chose to ignore it. It's over now, okay? Lucius won't be back anytime soon, I assure you."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry asked with hurt and betrayal in his expression. "Sara, why would you lie about that?"

"Because it's Christmas and I didn't want to spoil it anymore than I already have. I didn't want to make Draco feel any worse than he already does. Now let's just forget this whole morning and switch gears. Come on everyone, there're presents under the tree and a big breakfast to follow."

"I'll have to speak to the headmaster about this as soon as possible," Snape noted aloud.

Sara snapped her eyes in his direction. "No! Severus, just drop it, okay? No harm was done. As I said, he won't be back. I did manage to scare the hell out of him. Besides, he wasn't trying to come in or anything. He never even asked to. There's nothing to report."

"I'll have to think about this." Snape helped Draco to his feet.

"We'll talk later." Sara grabbed Harry's hand. "Come on, Harry."

At this, the group dispersed in different directions. Draco stopped to collect the cane before opening his door. Harry put an arm around Sara, for even with the potions Snape had given her, she still didn't feel well and her burn was painful. She leaned on him as they walked.

"I'm sorry," she whispered and went through the door. "I should have told you everything."

His tone was soft and forgiving. "You're a terrible liar, you know. You're still holding something back. I wish I knew what it was." He turned and took her face in his hands, "Do you know how I'd feel if something happened to you?"

She looked up at him with eyes full of shame. "I told you, I can take care of myself if needs be. Don't worry so much, Harry. And thanks for sticking up for me. You went about it the wrong way I think, but it's still sweet of you."

He gave her a brief kiss and smiled, wincing a bit from his new bruises. "Pick something out. I'll help you change."

"Are you sure? It's a horribly unpleasant task." Sara grinned as she opened drawers, grabbing something here and there, ever mindful of her bandaged hand.

"I could always ask Malfoy if you'd prefer. He's right down the hall, I could go get him."

"Thanks, but I don't want to wait. I guess you'll have to do."

Harry grinned and then grew serious. "How's your hand?"

"It's not bad."

"Sara, what if your hair had caught fire? Or your clothes? What if the whole sofa had gone up in flames with you in it?"

"Then I would regret getting drunk even more than I do now. It didn't happen, Harry. Don't dwell on it. It does no good."

"Don't dwell on it? Are you serious? You saw the front of the couch! The fire came within inches! Your hand is burned! You could be dead right now, on Christmas morning no less, and you think I can just forget about it? Pretend it didn't happen?"

"Of course not. All I meant was don't let the what-ifs drive you crazy. I promise you with all my heart, I'll never pass out in front of open flames again."

Harry held open a simple red silk dress. Sara pushed her arms through the sleeves and he set to buttoning it for her. "Oh, sorry. I guess I'm more accustomed to undressing you."

Sara giggled. "You're doing just fine. In fact, I kind of like having you dress me. I think you should do it more often." She smiled at him, down on one knee, working the dozens of little buttons.

Harry raised his eyebrows at the invitation and grinned. "Anytime."

Once again, someone was pounding on the door and Harry called out to the person on the other side. "We'll be right there!" he said and stood, all done with the buttons. "Sara, let's fly to the cottage after breakfast. We'll send an owl later and spend the night there, without Snape, without having to be back by sundown. Just the two of us. What do you say?"

"It sounds wonderful but I shouldn't make Uncle Albus worry on Christmas, especially after setting the school on fire. We'll be alone tonight, I promise. Is it so bad that it's here?"

"It was just a thought but you're right." He guided her to the vanity and helped her onto the stool. Without a word, he brushed her hair, still mostly black on one side, pulling it gently back from her face and loving the silky feel of it against his hands. "Sara I can't wait to graduate. To be on our own and able to do as we please. And if you want, you can be Mrs. Potter and we'll live together in a big house on top of the cliffs and every night we'll sleep to the sound of the ocean waves crashing on the rocks." Harry smiled as he smoothed her long tresses and then twirled the soft ringlets near her waist around his fingers. He stepped away to look it over and then draped a black silk cape around her shoulders, reaching around her to tie the ribbon, resting his head affectionately against hers.

"I can't wait, either. Imagine, being totally free! I have lived long enough as a caged bird and Gypsies always tire of the same old scenery. I have the wanderlust of my father's ancestors in my blood, you know. I can't wait for us to live together, Harry, and someday I will be your Mrs. Potter. Our palms have told us as much but I feel it in my heart, too. Unless, of course, I fall out of favor and you fall in love with Ginny Weasley or one of the Queens of Mabelline."

Harry faltered at the mention of Ginny and Sara found it curious, though she said nothing. She took his proffered hand and let him lead her into the main rooms to join the others.

* * *

They had set a limit on how much money they would spend on gifts, (mostly to keep Sara and from overspending and Malfoy from overcompensating for lack of sincerity,) and had also agreed on only one gift per person, (again to restrain Sara.) As a result, Sara got Harry a Muggle Music Player, which he was crazy about, and Malfoy gave him a bunch of music for it. Ironically, and at Sara's suggestion, that's exactly what Harry got for Malfoy. Harry and Draco weren't speaking to each other but the exchange was impersonal, adequate, and relatively painless. They each said an awkward thank you and moved on to their other packages.

Sara opened Harry's small gift with mounting curiosity, intrigued by the long, flat box with one heavy item that moved inside when she shook it. She unwrapped it and opened the black velvet lid. It was an unusual, beautiful gold medallion on a long gold chain. The metalwork was elegant and even more intricate than the Fortificus Charm was. It looked like a watch dial but, upon closer inspection, she saw the hands - black, lavender, blue and silver - had little initials on them and the faceplate was lined with words such as home, work, traveling, mortal peril, shopping, on holiday, out drinking, and snogging, among others. "Harry this is great!" she beamed. "Right now, it says Ron is on holiday and Hermione, you and I are home."

Malfoy wrinkled his brow. "Not fair! You way overspent, Potter!"

Everyone looked at Harry. "Ron and I ordered these months ago. We both have one and he gave one to Hermione today, too." He turned to speak directly to Sara. "We got the idea from the one they have at the Burrow. It looks like a grandfather clock. It's really cool."

"Thanks, Harry." She hugged him, mirroring his discomfort at being watched by the room. "I'll have to write to Ron later and thank him, since he had a hand in."

"I'm sure he'd love that. By the way, snogging was his idea."

"I thought so." Sara laughed. "Now what's left?"

Brittany was still camped out on the floor, opening the dozens of gifts she'd gotten from Sara. Harry and Neville had gotten her several things as well and even Draco had overspent a little. (Snape's gift of a nice student's potions set was obvious.)

Harry watched her, thinking of himself at that age and thinking the little orphaned girl was probably beside herself with joy. Sara had given her a new wardrobe and Sara's fine taste and impeccable style were enough to please anyone. Brittany was no exception and her delight was more evident with every new outfit. Eventually, she finished unwrapping and Sara was sitting with her, looking at everything and picking something out to wear for breakfast.

"Sara?" Harry stood. "There's something I want to do before breakfast so if you don't mind I think I'll head down now."

"Is everything ok?"

"Yes, I just want to deliver one last present."

* * *

That night Harry and Sara locked themselves in the tower after a long day of festivities. They'd had an impromptu Quidditch match without Bludgers. Draco, Snape, and Brittany wore green and silver Slytherin robes while Harry, Sara, and Neville dressed in Gryffindor scarlet and gold. Brittany and Neville, who was a flying disaster, played Keeper to one hoop only. Sara and Snape, both of average talent, were Chasers. Harry and Draco, of course, were Seekers.

Dumbledore watched from the center top-box, often clapping his hands or laughing aloud, running the scorekeeper and calling the tally over the loudspeaker, omitting most of the narrative. Slytherin; ninety points! Occasionally he'd even compliment someone's play.

The game was almost a washout. Neville managed to block only two shots from Snape and allowed him to score 110 points. Sara hadn't gotten past Brittany once. Brittany often caught her attempts and raced back down the field with the Quaffle. If it wasn't for Harry catching the Snitch, Slytherin might have beaten Gryffindor for the first time. (As it is, Harry always comes through in the end.)

Harry had been impressed with Brittany's skill and offered to teach her a thing or two the next day. She'd agreed with enthusiasm and walked with him all the way back to the castle, the two of them chatting animatedly about Quidditch.

* * *

Harry and Sara both had a stash of extra Christmas presents for each other hidden in various places in the tower and had a great time opening them on the floor before the tree. Sara wore a black silk nightgown with thin little straps and elegant embroidery, (which Harry always thought looked just like a woman's half-slip.) A velvet cape, tied across her shoulders, pooled around her, pushed back on one side, revealing the shining gold serpent on her arm.

"That snake thing really is pretty. No wonder it caught your eye."

Sara laughed. "You're terrible, you know, charming it to bite Malfoy. It was kind of funny, though."

"I didn't charm the serpent to bite Malfoy. That's the thing, Sara. It's been bothering me since it happened."

"What do you mean?"

"I charmed it to attack anyone who would do you harm."

"But it struck out at Draco!"

Harry hesitated. "Watch yourself around him, Sara. He's on his best behavior whenever you're nearby. You don't know how he really is. He can only be trusted in slices, not on the whole."

Sara was silent for a moment, absorbing this new information.

"Come with me." Harry stood and helped her up. "There's someone I want you to see."

Harry led her down the narrow back staircase and into the rooms below. He knocked and the door was opened by one of the house-elves, who smiled up at Harry and invited them in.

There were several of them in the room, Sara saw, and one little elf was nestled in the big bed with a bandaged arm resting on the coverlet. One of Harry's white cotton t-shirts lay over his thin form and she thought the injured elf looked lost in it. His eyes lit up at the sight of Harry.

"Sara, you remember Dobby?"

"Of course!" She sat on the edge of the bed. "It was you, wasn't it? You put out the fire! I remember it now. I saw you last night but I couldn't wake up. You were crying."

"He was trying to clean up the spill when it ignited."

"You were burned! Your arm!" Sara took Dobby's tiny hand in hers and held it.

"Here's your hero, Sara." Harry smiled. "He made sure you were safe before he went for help with his injury."

"Thank you, Dobby." Sara leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry my foolishness got you hurt."

"It's ok." Dobby smiled. "Dobby is fine now that Harry Potter has given him this room for getting better."

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you come to be there at such an advantageous time?"

"Bringing Harry Potter his Christmas present of course!"

Sara laughed. "You did very well, Dobby. Thank you again. If you need anything just let me know."

Sara stood and took Harry's hand. "We'll check on you in the morning. Please, stay as long as you like." She smiled at the pale little elf and followed Harry into the hall where she fell against the stone and sighed. "Harry, that poor creature! What have I done?"

"He'll be fine," he reassured her. "Besides, he likes you. He told me so this morning when I brought his present down to the kitchens. Now come on." Harry took her hand. "Let's go to bed."