Shifting the Balance

Chapter 19

~ Reality strikes down ~


Malfoy woke late at night. He stared off into space and then turned his head towards the girl beside of him. Yes, she was still there. Although it was dark, he could make out her curly hair.

Malfoy sighed and pushed the covers from him. At the edge of the bed he stretched and got up.
He pulled his comforter from his closet and looked back at the sleeping girl when he walked round the bed.

Real quiet Malfoy opened his door and stepped outside his dorm. On the stairs the silence was broken which made Malfoy startle.The antique clock in the common room struck once, indicating that it was already Christmas.

Malfoy relit the fire and sat in the armchair that was closest to the warming fire.
He leaned back. His brows were furrowd and he closed his eyes.

He really was at a loss. Malfoy opened his eyes again and leaned forward, placing his head in his hands. He was so tired, didn’t get much sleep as of late. Not since her!


He should just end it. Right now, before things got worse.
Ha! It couldn’t possibly get any worse! He craved for her every waking hour. Even now.
He wanted to have her and of course he succeeded.

But it just wasn’t enough.
He wanted to have her over and over.

Even now her very precense above pulled at him, inviting him next to her naked and warm body.
But that wasn’t even the worst, the lust he could handle.
His heart that was pulling at him to go upstairs again. He got to care for this girl, somewhere along the way his feelings changed and for the worse. This revelation could destroy everything!

He couldn’t let this happen.

Malfoy pulled up his sleeve and muttered ‘aparacium’ and slowly but surely the dark mark appeared on the inside of his arm.

He would deal with it, in time. He just needed more time to make the final decision.
For now he would enjoy the company of this girl a while longer.

Malfoy was about to get up when the fire sizzled and cracked.

Suddenly a face appeared into the fire.

“Mother?”

Malfoy stared at his mothers face in the ashes, his mouth hanging open in shock.

“Close your mouth, my boy. Have you already forgotten how to present yourself properly, these few months from the Manor?”

“Sorry mother. But your visit is quite unexpected, to say the very least!”

“Yes, yes, are you alone?”

“Yes I am.” A feeling of unease made his way into his stomach.

Then her face disappeared and the fire roared up in high flames. The flames turned a dark green and the form of Narcissa appeared in the fire, hastily stepping through.

She dusted herself off while looking at her son’s appearance.

“Please take a seat Draco. I’m afraid my visit isn’t all that joyful.”

Malfoy’s insides clenched at her words. He didn’t like the sound of that.

“Aren’t you taking a seat mother?”

“No I will not. I want to make myself very clear on this.

You know how important it is to get back in the good grace of the Dark Lord. It cost all my willpower and persuasion to convince him to spare us. That in time we will be of value to him.

You already know all of this Draco, but it seems you need to hear it again!”

Her sharp blue eyes pierced his grey ones.

“It seems something occurred that will intervene with your future plans.

I will not let this happen, and nor will you! You know what I’m talking about Draco!”

Malfoy looked at his mother. He tried to look as natural as possible.

“No mother, what occurence are you referring to?”

“A reliable source tells me you have taken an interest in a muggleborn.
And not just any muggle, but one that has befriended Harry Potter nonetheless!” Narcissa raised her voice.

“What have you to say for yourself?”

His mother crossed her arms and looked down on him. This wasn’t good!

“It all means nothing, Mother! I mean, she is nothing to me.
You know I don’t like her. So why are you worried? “

“Oh Draco, please do not take me for a fool! You’ve always spoken of her with intensity. You’ve hated her for years. So don’t insult me by telling me it means nothing!

Have you been with her?” She suddenly asks.

Malfoy didn’t suspect this question and was a bit taken aback. He never spoke of the women he’d been with to his mother. And she never asked.

“Why does it matter! Yes I’ve been with her. So what? Nothing has changed”

“Oh Merlin. EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED! Can’t you see that!
You’re throwing your future away! You can’t be involved with some mudblood!
Not when you’re this close! You know you will be ranked into his war soon.”

Malfoy looked angry at his mother. “Don’t you think I know that!”

“Well I don’t know Draco. How much does this girl mean to you. And DON’T tell me NOTHING!
Don’t you dare lie to me now!”

Malfoy was quiet. He hid his face behind his blond hair, away from his mothers stare.

“I don’t know mother. I don’t know her that well.”

“Don’t give me that!” She took his chin in her hands and made him look up.
“Your eyes tell me something different. Dear Merlin, Draco. How has it come to this?

Thank Merlin your father isn’t around to witness this!”

Malfoy scowled at the mention of his father.

“You must end this. With this girl, whatever it is. It must end”

“I know this mother. I will take care of it.”

“So I can trust that you will?”

“I just told you.”

Narcissa placed both hands round her sons head and kissed him on top.
From her cloak she pulled a small satchel. Her hand took a hand full of powder and threw it in the fire.
Immediately the flames roared and turned green. She turned.


“I’m sorry.”

Her form vanished into the green fire.


***

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A.N.: Well, it's been a while. But finally my next chapter...I hope people will keep reading my story, even when the updates aren't that frequent. This chapter is a little different. Tell me what you think.
And look out for my next chapter, it's going to be HOT!

Deeply.Jaded