Smile Like You Mean It

I know, I know. I'm a terrible disappointment for leaving this so long. Life has been going up and down at the moment. I'm trying desperately to get back into writing, so hopefully I'll be doing regular updates again...

Hope you like this chapter, I know it's short but I'm already on my way with the next.


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Chapter 20 - Ripple On The Horizon

The common room was full of light when Aera entered, people talking loudly and music playing at full volume. She herself was grinning at the events of earlier that day. The few times she had seen Draco, and they had been much too few, they had shared looks that spoke a thousand words. Aera couldn't help but watch him every time she caught a glimpse of him in the corridors and he had always seemed to feel her eyes on him, turning to look at her with his expressive eyes.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were seated off to the left, near the large windows. They were bent over school books, though even Hermione appeared to be having trouble concentrating with all the noise. Aera hesitated. She wanted to go and sit with them, but she was still at dagger points with Hermione and wasn't sure how her arrival would be met.

It was Ron who looked up and saw her hovering across the room. He gave a toothy grin and waved her over. Aera relaxed at little and joined them, letting herself sink into one of the billowing sofas.

Hermione raised her eyebrows as Aera sat down, but said nothing. Though Aera noticed that her quill scratched the notes down a little more vigourously. She was writing an essay on Ritual Runes, by the title at the top of the page.

"We have news for you." Harry said, pushing him homework away from him. He looked delighted at the excuse to avoid it. "The potion will be ready by the weekend."

Aera's elation at the day's earlier events twisted into a knot in her stomach. She plastered a smile of feigned relief on her face as her insides tried to squirm. "Excellent! You have no idea how irritating it's been, having to wait."

Hermione gave a disbelieving snort, which Aera diplomatically decided to ignore. Ron frowned at his friend but didn't comment.

"So we were thinking we could use it on Friday evening, after dinner. There's a Hogsmead trip this weekend, so it would be cool if we got it out of the way before that. What do you think?" Harry asked.

Aera shrugged in an act of indifference. "Sure. Where are we going to use it though? I'd prefer somewhere a bit private."

"How about the Astronomy Tower?" asked Hermione.

Aera's chest tightened in worry, her heart missing a beat. She quickly made sure nothing had been given away by her facial expression before she took a subtly deep breath. "Why there?"

Hermione gave a nonchalant, one-shouldered shrug. "It's usually empty on Friday evenings, that's all. And it's out of the way so I don't think anyone's going to accidentally surprise us."

Aera felt herself relax minutely, trying to watch Hermione without her suspecting. If the girl knew anything, surely she would reveal it, if only to place Aera in a difficult position. Thankfully the girl didn't appear to mean anything more by her words, but the twist in Aera's stomach remained. She nodded in agreement with Hermione, not trusting herself to speak.

"Sounds like the most convenient place. We could meet there at about seven, that way we should be finished before curfew. Even if someone walks in by accident, we could make up an excuse for being there." said Harry calmly. His eyes were shining with impatience. "Can't wait to hear what your big secret is."

Aera grinned at him. "Well, you're going to have to." She covered her mouth with her palm as she forced out a yawn. "Wow, I'm tired. Think I'll get an early night. Bit too noisy down here anyway."

Harry and Ron nodded and Hermione gave an indifferent shrug. Aera gratefully slipped away to the sanctuary of the girl's dorm and closed the door behind her with a heavy sigh.

Nearly there. she thought. Not long and my secrets will be out in the open. At least with those three. And not all my secrets.

The memories of Draco and herself up in the tower made her smile once more, pleasure rising from the pit of her belly and making her heart swell. She could hardly believe her fortune.

Aera started unbuttoning her shirt as she walked over to her bed. They were going to have to come up with some way to let each other know if the other wanted to talk, however. She desperately wanted to tell him that everything was going down Friday evening.

As she stepped out of her shoes and guided her skirt down her long smooth legs she wondered what Draco would think if he could see her in that position, dressed only in white bra, knickers and knee-high socks. A naughty grin spread over her lips and she removed the rest of her clothing hurriedly, sliding in under the silky material of the duvet. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.


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Unfortunately, Draco was finding sleep impossible. He lay with the curtains closed around his bed, one arm resting under his head. Bright blue eyes stared unseeing at the ceiling.

She'd looked beautiful at dinner. Dark hair framing that perfect oval face as she shot covert glances at him across the tables. Those looks had made his groin twitch and he ached to be closer to her. She'd eaten her ice-cream with ceremony and he was sure she had deliberately used her tongue to swipe the offending dessert from the spoon much more than necessary.

Draco shook his head slightly. Similar thoughts had been plaguing him throughout the day. And they were always followed by thoughts of a darker nature.

He had told Aera about his father and rather than appearing frightened or nervous she had kissed him with fierce passion. He didn't share her optimism. He knew his father and he knew very well that the man could be very determined at times. He had already shown interest in Aera. How could he possibly protect her?

Draco turned onto his side, glaring at the patterns on the curtain. This is going to go wrong.

He needed his allies by his side at a time like this. Sadly, he had only one real ally. Blaise. His friend could be depended on to keep secrets and had already appeared to have developed a decent relationship with Aera. If Draco wasn't around, Blaise could protect her. He would tell Blaise everything and obtain an oath from the Italian man. It was all Draco could think of to do.

He groaned quietly. Sleep was still a distant dream.


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xxx