What Does This Feeling Mean

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Fifteen - Diamonds and True Friends

I awoke the next morning to the sound of Mystic hooting from the foot of my bed. I rubbed my eyes to focus on the array of small packages that sat at my feet.

"Mystic, did you get me all of these things for my birthday?"

He ruffled his feathers and started twittering proudly. I pulled out a bag of mice flavored owl treats from my night stand, and gave Mystic a few more than he usually gets for the day. Now satisfied, he flew to his cage, buried his head, and went to sleep.

I immediately jumped into the task of opening my gifts. My grandmother, as sweet and thoughtful as she is, bought me a new pair of black gloves. They were comfortable, and fit my hands beautifully, but nothing that I could get terribly excited about. The rest of the small boxes were from my parents, and as I opened each one, my gasps of astoundment grew louder.

From each box, I pulled out a bracelet, earrings, an anklet, and a necklace, all blindingly made up with diamonds. The bracelet and anklet, along with the rest, was set in white gold, and both had the design of a strand of metal that looped around the band perfectly in between each jewel. The earrings were two carat white diamond solitaire studs, that I couldn't seem to stop staring at for a good five minutes. Finally, the necklace. I like to think of myself as a person who wasn't easily swayed by flashy, expensive things, but the second I pulled out this item, my mouth couldn't help but to water. Hanging from this nearly invisible chain, was a radiant six carat, tear drop shaped pink diamond. I held it's weight in the palm of my hand before holding it up to my open window to watch the world from within it. I couldn't hardly believe why, let alone how, my family got these beautiful things for me. It was as though they knew how this birthday; this day, in this year, was going to be one that I would never forget.

I gathered all of my breathtaking jewelry into a box, and set it deep within my trunk. With that, I put a particularly powerful locking charm on the latch to keep it safe.

Now content in my slight paranoia about the items nobody even knew that I had yet; I took my potion, got dressed, put on my new gloves, and opened my door. A crimson rose rested silently at my feet. I put the fragrant rose along with it's brothers and sisters, kissed my note for the day, and headed down to the hall for breakfast. Along the way, I was stopped by Crabbe.

"Well, good morning sweety," I smiled.

Crabbe instantly began to blush before he started speaking. "Happy birthday Jewel. I have a message for you."

"Oh?"

"Draco had some things he had to do today, but he will be back in time for your party. He... ah... wanted me to tell you that. It has nothing to do with something he wanted to give you before he leaves neither, in case you hear otherwise."

"Nothing at all?" I asked, breathing through my laugh.

"Nope," he said confidently.

"Thank you, Crabbe. What would I do without you?"

I threw my arm around him and together we walked to the hall. As we entered, I was immediately swarmed by a group of people, mostly Ravenclaws, who smothered me with birthday wishes and excitement about the party. The crowd soon parted as Pansy announced her presence.

"Alright you blokes, she heard you! Clear off before someone gets hurt!" she demanded. Grabbing my arm, she took me over to our usual spot. I couldn't help feeling a little heavy-hearted as I sat next to the empty bit of air that Draco usually filled.

"This is from me," Pansy stated, placing a small package in front of me. "I know, I know. I shouldn't have. Just open it," she said trying to keep the mushiness to a minimum.

I still smiled as I opened the very neat package. She must have cared, otherwise she wouldn't have made the effort. From the box, I pulled out what looked like a small crystal egg. It was completely clear, but inside held a beautiful round emerald.

"It's a Ueracom," Pansy said as she held her hand out. I gave it back to her and she turned to straddle her seat so she was facing me. As she looked at it, I turned to face her too. She gripped the crystal in her hand, and looked at me with different eyes, eyes that I had yet to ever see. "I never go anywhere without this. Almost as if it would help as much as it could hurt. Thanks to you, I don't need it anymore," she said as she took my hand and placed the Ueracom in my palm, never removing her grip. I felt her fingers shake as she struggled to continue, and her impulse to run away consumed me.

I placed my other hand on top of hers. "Pansy. It's okay. Take your time."

She took a few breaths and smiled at me. "It's so stupid. This shouldn't be this hard. Okay. In the thought and company of a person that you choose, the emerald will only start to glow if the one in question is a true friend. I... I've only..." She was determined to do this. I squeezed her hand around the gift. "As long as I've had this, it's only glowed four times. Crabbe and Goyle were the first ones, and I thought I was happiest when it glowed with Malfoy. I brought it with me the first day you joined us at this table and..."

A small ray of green struck both of our faces, and as we noticed in unison, we removed our hands. The Ueracom's light pulsated warmly in my palm, and upon Pansy's face came a small amount of tears. "It glowed Jewel. It glowed the brightest with you," Pansy uttered in a whisper. She grabbed a napkin and dabbed the water from her eyes, still determined to get through what she wanted to say. "I never thought I would find a friend in someone who was my professor, is a Ravenclaw of all things, but most of all... is a girl as wonderful and as nice as you are. You showed me tough love on that train, and even when you saw all of me through your hands, you still accepted me. I know now what to look for in a true friend, so who better to give my prison to, than the one who gave me the key," she finished as the emerald's glow quietly subsided.

"Pansy, I..."

"You're going to make me cry!"

I chuckled as I wiped my own tears from my eyes. "Oh, but it's okay to make me cry?!" We laughed through the moment, breaking free from the tense emotion. I hugged her anyway. "Thank you Pansy. Thanks most of all for being who you are, and for allowing me to become your friend," I smiled. I held her shoulders as she looked at me. "You are definitely worth it."

She smiled as nice as I had ever seen and then slammed her fist across the table. "Thank you Jewel. I need a release. I'll be back," she stated as she got up and stormed out of the hall.

I raised an eyebrow at Goyle, and he quickly responded. "She's going to go yell at someone."

"Who?"

"Whomever she comes across."

"Goodness. My beautiful Slytherins," I said quietly, rubbing my forehead. I smiled at her gift as I placed it gently in my pocket.

When lunch came around, I took that time to talk to Professor McGonagall.

"We have everything ready for the party tonight Jewel. It should be great fun!"

"Minerva? I was wondering..."

"Go on," she said placing her goblet down on the table.

"Well, I was just wondering if there was any way that I could get ready for the party with a couple of my friends. The problem is, that they are both from different houses, and I'd rather have permission from a professor. Well, you know how some Ravenclaws are about going by the book," I stammered. She sat back in her seat and quirked a smile as she put her fork down on her plate. "Not a chance, huh?" I winced, waiting for her negation. She knew as well as I did that most of my house would only allow visitors into our common room if they had proof of permission. And they say Gryffindors are stubborn. Not that anyone needed to know about Draco or anything.

"About what time would you like them there?"

"Oh, I'd say about five."

"Well, I can't promise you they will be there, but I think it can be arranged. Who are the friends in question?"

"Hermione Granger and Pansy Parkinson."

She gave me a startled look. "Do you think that's wise? Both of them? In a small room, together?"

"I think they'll manage. I'll mediate them should a problem arise."

"Alright Jewel. I will send word to them as soon as I get proper authorization. If not, I will notify you."

"Thank you Professor."

I walked happily to the Gryffindor table and joined Harry, Ron, and Hermione for lunch.

"Party still on?" Ron asked as I sat down next to Harry.

"Of course! I was just asking McGonagall if I could have Hermione and Pansy get ready for the party with me in my room."

"Pansy?!" Hermione heaved, almost choking. "Pansy Parkinson?! Slytherin Pansy Parkinson?!"

"The one and only."

"You're serious?"

I looked at her disgruntled face. "Oh, come on Hermione! You guys are my friends, and I want both of you with me."

She took to her thoughts after flashing dirty looks at the pair of giggling boys that couldn't contain themselves. "Okay Jewel. Only because you want me there, but if she starts anything..."

"If she starts anything, I will stop her. Nothing is going to happen Hermione. I won't allow it, nor will you guys instigate anything on purpose, right? That's if it's even allowed. McGonagall said she'd let you know if you can. I want you with me Hermione. It's very important to me that you are there. Please?"

Hermione smiled as she let out a sigh. "If it's allowed, I will be there Jewel. Promise."

"Thanks Hermione. I mean it."

Her smile turned around as soon as she looked back at Ron. He held his lips behind his ruddy face, as though he was going to explode. Hermione shot to her feet. "Honestly Ron! You act so immature sometimes!" She grabbed her coat and stomped out of the hall.

"What did I do?" he asked over his release of amusement.

"You need to watch yourself there mate," Harry resolved.

"Yeah," I agreed, crossing my arms. "Each second you spend not following her is another nail in your coffin, Ron."

"She's not really..." Ron looked at Harry, and then looked at me. "Bloody hell!" he muttered, finally getting up to start his search for Hermione.

"Cherry lips," I roared as he left the hall. Harry fell to the table in tears after spraying the table with pumpkin juice, and I struggled to catch my breath between breaks in my laughter. "Sorry! Couldn't resist."

"I worry about those two sometimes," Harry said before we left.

"I wouldn't Harry. As much as they argue, I'm pretty sure the time they use to reconcile is well spent."

I caught up with Pansy on the way back to my room, and her reaction mirrored that of Hermione. Everything from the repeating of Hermione's name, to two giggling boys. She too reluctantly agreed, and proceeded to give each red faced boy a verbal beating.

I took my time as I made my way to my room. As I walked, I came across the hallway where I had seen Draco with that other girl. I walked over to the wall I hid behind on that night, and leaned against it. I gazed vacantly down the hall, to the spot Draco had occupied. I remembered how my eyes locked on to him, and in my anguish, actually sent my consciousness to the girl he was with. My first taste, without even touching him. My heart began to jump, and my pelvic region started to seethe as the memory of that night took over. Walking to the next hall made my body dream for him even more. Behind that sculpture, he felt me. He felt me somehow, and never looked back. I could only hope that the sisters Fate and Destiny just meant for us to be happy, because without him, I never really knew the true meaning of the word.

When I arrived back at my room, I decided to take a nice long bath. I took out my mother's own brand of bath soothers. My favorite item from her line, was a red powder that gently bubbled around you as it smoothed your skin, and finally enhanced your entire body with the scent of roses.

After completing my escape, I walked out to see that it was already fifteen minutes to five. Since I had yet to hear any word from McGonagall, I knew that Pansy and Hermione would be arriving soon. As I paced around my room repeatedly, I realized again why I wanted them there. So I wouldn't go out of my mind.

TBC...