What Does This Feeling Mean

~~~

Seventeen - Lets Party!

I locked on to his eyes instantly. How they gleamed in a softness that only I could truly see. The small crowd in front of me caught my line of sight, and one by one, moved to the side. Draco's smirk disappeared as soon as we got a complete look at each other. His lips parted slightly as he inspected me, and I took over his smirk as I began my walk towards him. He wore a black and green tux, with silver accents here and there; one of them being a silver pin of a snake, coiled in the shape of an 'S', resting comfortably on his buttoned down collar. His hair shined, and sat groomed and orderly, despite a few strands that stubbornly kept to his brow.

I stopped in front of him, and once again, looked into his eyes. His smile made me throw my arms around him. His embrace made me feel like the day had been forever, and it was only his warmth that kept me alive. Had I really known before that this... this warmth, this bliss, that this man is what I was once destined to never know? I brushed my lips across his neck as I took in his scent. His aroma was intoxicating to say the least, and I struggled to keep my head about me. I brought my breath to his ear.

"Oh how I've missed you, my Draco," I breathed and I felt him shudder at my words.

"Not nearly as much as I've missed you, beautiful," he responded, making me shiver as well. He ran his fingers up my arms to get my hands. He brought them down, used one to spin me around, and kissed it. We walked over to the table together and sat down to eat.

***

"You guys make me sick!" Pansy said as she watched Draco and I feed each other fruit from our plates.

I winked at Draco, and turned to Goyle. "So Goyle, I heard willy covering loin cloths are all the rage these days, especially when worn in the bedroom. You know, Pansy..."

"Jewel! Don't listen to her papa bear, I..."

"Papa bear?!" Draco and I yelled in unison.

The table suddenly shook from Hermione, who sat a small distance from us. She had her face buried in her arm, and her fist was banging on the table in laughter.

Pansy smacked Goyle across the arm, for no apparent reason, and smiled at me. "I must be rubbing off on you Jewel, you bold bint! If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were a bloody Slytherin."

"Well then I can honestly say that I have learned from the very best," I grinned. Pansy giggled and took to snuggling with Goyle, who never faltered once from his task of eating.

"Attention. Everyone."

We all turned to Dumbledore, who now stood at the front of the hall. "As you already know, we are gathered to celebrate with a very special young lady here tonight. Many of you may not realize that she is part of a family, who's blood is the very history of Hogwarts. Related directly to Valdis Vablatsky, who in turn, is a direct descendant of none other than our own, Rowena Ravenclaw," he smiled.

The hall fell into hushed conversation. I shyly smiled. Even through my family's long bloodline, with some of them lost into history, I always knew that Rowena was up there. To me, it really wasn't that big of a deal. She was and always would be a part of our proud family, that's all.

"Through those many years, the Vablatsky blood came to be. We have the basics of Divination today because of them, but they have actually given us something much more valuable. Hardly a handful were ever born to possess the unique abilities that Jewel has, and she is the only one known to have obtained it hereditarily. Jewel?" Dumbledore motioned.

I got up from my seat, and walked over to him. He took his goblet from the table, and raised it in the air. Everyone quickly followed suit. "Like your great grandmother, your genuine disposition and your empathy for human life shows no boundaries. From Hufflepuff to Slytherin, you see the person, and forget the house. Truly a family trait that Hogwarts is proud to have back amongst our midst. To a young woman, past born on this eve, may she continue to find as much happiness as she shares with us all within her reach. To Jewel, on your birthday," he finished. Everyone raised their glass, drank, and applauded.

I blushed, speechless. Yes, happiness - Draco. I can see everyone else so clearly through my eyes, and now as I look at myself, it isn't quite as cloudy as it used to be. I might never be able to answer my own what's and why's, but right now, I know that Draco is my who.

"Now let's get to that cake. Professor Flitwick? Everyone," Dumbledore said and motioned for everyone to gather by the cake. Draco walked to my side, and laced his fingers with mine. Feeling his energy back with me, I sighed away the blanket of reflection that I had been wrapped in. Professor Flitwick said a few words, and with a tap of his wand, lit a succession of candles that circled each tier. The cake was beautiful, white and purple, but... they don't expect me to blow out all of these candles, do they?

I turned my look to Dumbledore, and he smiled. "Just aim for the blue one on the bottom, but first, you have to make your wish."

My wish? I looked around at the people who surrounded me. Friends, acquaintances, mentors, and Draco. So many birthday wishes from my past stood warmly before me. There was only one thing I could think of at this time in my existence. I brought Draco's hand up with my own. Guiding his palm to my cheek, I snuggled in his touch. My gloved hands caressed his fingers as I brought them back into my vision. With a final kiss across his skin, I looked at my own. My wish? I wish I could understand.

I took a breath, bent down to the blue candle, and blew it out. As the flame disappeared, the rest of the candles followed behind in a domino effect. Picking up speed, waiting faces watched it's ascent up to the top. Before anyone could blink, the last candle diminished in a spark, and a glorious display of color exploded in the air. The streams and sounds continued above our heads to many excited eyes, but I noticed a pair that didn't seem to care. Draco had never taken his own eyes off of me, and as I returned his gaze, he used his thumb to open my lips before he parted his own to kiss me. A simple, yet intense kiss. Our mouths seemed to create suction, as they strived to stay together when we broke the connection.

Flitwick levitated portions of the cake, and set them on plates in expert fashion. I took one good piece, and on another plate, portioned a much smaller amount.

"I'll be right back," I told Draco as I grabbed a fork.

I walked down the length of the hall, and balanced the two helpings as I opened the hall door. Filch jumped at attention as he realized he had fallen asleep at his post. He looked at me, and looked at the cake.

"Here you go," I smiled, not giving him a chance to speak. I handed him his plate, and gave a loudly purring Mrs. Norris her piece. "You're welcome," I said before closing the door.

***

"This is so good!" Crabbe exclaimed, as I sat down to partake in the cakes' consumption.

"That's the fifth time you've said that Crabbe," Draco stated, shaking his head. "I swear that gut of yours is going to burst the way you eat."

Crabbe smiled and nodded with a mouthful of frosting, oblivious to what was just said to him.

As I started eating, I couldn't help myself, because it was true. "This is so good!" I yelled. Draco put down his fork as I suspected. Before he could say anything, I took his hand, and used his index finger to wipe some purposely placed frosting from the corner of my mouth. He silently watched as I placed his finger in my mouth to lick it clean. I circled my tongue around as I slowly finished the job. "Were you going to say something?" I smirked.

He leaned over to put his breath next to my ear. "I don't need to say anything," he whispered as his tongue found my lobe, and made it's way to the top of my neck. He bit gently on my skin, and got the reaction he wanted in my barely contained shudder. He smiled as he returned to my glare. Damn his sexiness.

"You win this round," I toned.

"Rematch?" he whispered.

"Later."

When everyone got their share of cake, my grandfather walked up and took me from my seat. He led me to the center of the hall, and bowed. "May I have the first dance?"

I smiled and curtsied in response. "As if you had to ask."

The music changed dramatically, and my grandfather and I danced. We moved in perfect unison, brought about by the countless nights we had danced in my kitchen when I was young. It drove my mother mad when she was trying to make a meal, but I loved it. Just a small pleasure I indulged in for the ten years I lived confined in my house.

With a couple of twirls and dips, the song was over, as well as our dance. The hall applauded, and I hugged my grandfather.

"It's been too long," he said in our embrace.

"Oh grandpa. I love you too," I giggled. He smiled, trying not to cry, and left me with a kiss on my cheek. The music started again, and Draco made his approach. He took my hand, pulled me to his chest, and we began to dance. It wasn't long before the entire hall joined us in the fun.

"Why didn't you tell me you were Hogwarts royalty?" Draco asked as we danced to a slow song.

"What?"

"You're related to a founder of this school. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh, I didn't know it was that important," I said a little disappointed, but not surprised.

He picked up on my change of mood. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"Don't be sorry Draco. You have nothing to be sorry about," I said as I stopped our dance, and walked with him to sit down at the table. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Since you asked me why I didn't tell you; why are you here with me tonight?"

"What do you mean? I wanted to be with you tonight."

"You wanted to be with me. Just me. Not my family name, not my blood, and not my house. Right?"

"Yes," he said, finally understanding.

"Now it's my turn to apologize to you."

"What? Why?"

I sighed heavily. "The school that I transferred from was built by someone in my family as well. Going to school there was horrible for me. Everyone who went there knew me from my name, and through their assumptions... looked right past me. 'Oh, she's a Vablatsky, and she has the gift'. Yes, a gift to everyone but me. After all of the years in the house that my gift locked me in, my own peers in the craft failed one of their own. Nobody cared to know the girl behind the name. Yes, I'm a Vablatsky, but my name is Jewel. Screw the name as well, I am a beautiful person and nobody took the time to find that out," I said. I took Draco's hand, and held it tight. "Even if I never had you, I still wanted you to see that beautiful person. At the same time, I didn't want to hinder you in your beliefs. I know your legacy is important to you, as it should be, because no matter which road you take in life, it will always be there. I see now that I should have told you."

"You're right," he said simply. He brought me to his lips, and held me close. I was a little startled by his response, but found no reason to question it. He broke his lock on me, and looked into my eyes. "I did see that beautiful person. I can't imagine how anyone could even consider looking past such a vision, inside and out. They are fools to close their eyes to you."

I snatched him back and held him as close as I could. I knew it was a big step for him to even get to this point with me in the opinions of everyone around him. His words made my heart swell. Draco never looked away, never closed his eyes. He knew what I went through around him, and yet this is the man who said he would wait forever. This is the man who started my quest to the potion I never knew existed. This is the man who doesn't seem to notice the gloves on my hands. This wonderful man, in my arms.

***

Everyone danced into the night. Pansy and I even cut up the rug and happily made complete fools out of ourselves. I tried to dance with Crabbe, but his lack of movement and red face made it impossible. Harry and I even took to a song, much to the chagrin of Draco, and I heard all about it when I returned to him.

Soon it became close to midnight, and the tired hall emptied out into the school. I thanked the entire staff who attended, some a little tipsy from the champagne and butter beer mix, and got some happy hugs from the rest of the partygoers. Draco and I walked together, the last of the crowd, and stopped before the hall that led to my room.

"You want me to fly over in a little bit?" he asked.

"Why in a little bit?" I smiled.

"Well, you're going to want to change and stuff first, right?"

"Nope," I said, slowly walking down the hall.

"Oh..."

We both took off and ran in opposite directions in a mad dash to get to my room. I laughed the entire way up, knowing he wasn't going to beat me. As I got to my room, I lit a fraction of the candles that I normally would to set a softer glow. I saw that Hermione and Pansy's clothes had already been removed, and it was as if they were never there. I walked to my mirror and started to remove my earrings when Draco flew swiftly into the room. As he landed, I walked over to the window, and with a deliberate look, closed it with a soft click.

TBC...