Smile Like You Mean It

Hi All

I know this chapter is pretty short, but I'm not in a great mood. One of my upcoming chapters got deleted somehow (grr!) so I have to rewrite it, something I really, really HATE doing.

xxx Aera


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Chapter 24 - Frights and Feelings


Aera was not expecting the hand that wrapped around her wrist and pulled her into a dark alcove whilst she was on her was down to breakfast. It was Saturday and the previous night had left her with a feeling of blissful elation. So the surprise at being jerked sideways without warning made her gasp loudly and react with a knee.

It was after her knee had connected that she realised it was Draco and her hands flew to her mouth in guilt as he bent over, clutching his groin.

"Draco! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, reaching forward to make sure he was alright. He pushed her hands away, straightening up by himself though his face was still shadowed by pain.

"I'm okay. Just give me a second." he muttered, using the wall to support himself with one hand.

She nodded, her eyes wide. "I'm sorry. I just . . . I'm not used to being startled like that."

He nodded. "Yeah, don't worry. I won't make that mistake again." He smiled ruefully to let her know she was forgiven.

Aera smiled back, embarrassment clear on her face. She hadn't meant to hurt him. She never wanted to hurt him. "So, why did you try to scare the life out of me?"

Draco finally seemed to have recovered. He pushed himself away from the wall and went to stand in front of her. "What happened last night? I heard everything you said, but what was their reaction?"

Aera knew her face reflected the joy she felt at the memory and explained how positive Harry had been. She even told Draco about her renewed friendship with Hermione. She was surprised at the lack of emotion on his face when she finished. After all, it had been the most wonderful thing to ever happen to her. Surely he was happy for her? She trailed off, watching for a change in his expression.

Draco ran a hand through his platinum locks. He looked uncomfortable. "Shit." He muttered.

Aera's eyes widened, hurt by his summary. He looked down at her and realised what she must have gleaned from his reaction. He held a hand up in defence. "No! I am happy for you. I'm just . . . I'm not sure. I suppose I was expecting the worst."

Aera nodded slowly, though she didn't really buy it. She looked deep into those blue eyes and finally understanding swept over her. "Oh! I get it. You don't want to share."

Draco's face went blank and she knew she was spot on. After all, they had so recently found each other, how else would he react? He hated Harry, Ron and Hermione. He hadn't wanted them to find out because now she shared that part of her with them too, not just him.

"You're very possessive, you know that?"

Draco frowned and Aera let out a peal of laughter. Nothing could dampen her mood. Slowly Draco's expression began to twist into one of bemused humour and finally he let out a bark of laughter.

"I suppose I am at that."

The mood lightened, Aera leaned forward and kissed Draco firmly on the lips. He began to deepen the kiss but she pulled away. "I need to get some breakfast before my stomach eats itself. I'll see if I can get away from the others later today."

Draco sighed but nodded. He'd already eaten, having wanted to wait for Aera so that he could find out what the verdict was. Now the day loomed ahead with little chance of having time with her. After all, he didn't believe Harry would be happy letting Aera out of his sight. Merlin knew he wasn't.


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Aera didn't find a way to get free from Harry for the rest of the day. Or the day after. He seemed desperate to catch up on sixteen years of family company and Aera didn't have the heart to refuse him. Then again, she was also enjoying the openness and honesty that flowed between them.

One disconcerting thing she was beginning to notice was how often her mood mirrored his. She would be sitting talking to him, holding his hand, when she would feel outrageously happy for no particular reason. Then less than a second later she would glimpse Ginny walking towards them. Or when the date for the first Quidditch match of the season had been posted and it had named Gryffindor and Slythering as the opponents. Not being on the team, Aera didn't really care for the news but she was linked arms with Harry at the time and had been infused with a sense of excitement.

This bizarre echo of feeling had been enough to make Aera want to test it. So on Sunday she went up to Harry, sitting down beside him on the sofa. Her mood was gloomy and annoyed due to the realisation that she still had to finish writing a three foot long essay for Charms. It wasn't really that big a deal but Aera had let herself get wound up by it, thinking about the fact that this would reduce the amount of time she had to hang out with Harry and the others.

The effect was instant. Her arm brushed against Harry's and he was suddenly scowling. She held onto her dark emotion before it was swept away by the tide of surprise. She wanted to see just how strong this connection was.

Ron came over and fell into the only available chair. It was an uncomfortable one that you usually had to twist into to get settled. Ron overcame this by swinging his feet up across the arm so that they hung a foot in front of Harry.

"Fuck sake, Ron!" Harry snapped, shoving the large shoe away. "Get that out of my face!"

Aera went very still, her mind reeling. This couldn't be right. How was it that Harry and herself were mirroring each other's mood? It was bizarre, extraordinary.

Perhaps it's because we're twins. her mind reflected. After all, there were all kinds of strange opinions and theories when it came to heritage and birth. And if Harry and I had grown up together it would be normal, something we wouldn't even wonder about. Maybe most twins have it and never think it's out of the ordinary.

The realisation was both confusing and fascinating. But Aera pushed it to one side to examine another day. Harry wasn't going anywhere. She had time.

The thought made her grin.


One of the topics that came up in their discussions was Draco Malfoy. Harry and Ron filled Hermione in on the 'seduction' plan. She was both disgusted and impressed.

"It makes sense." She said when Ron commented on her lack of negative response. "Aera's attractive and we need whatever info we can get. It should work out pretty well. As long as he never realises. I'd hate to think what his reaction would be."

Aera fought to keep her face impassive. She knew exactly what his reaction was. Amusement.

"So, have you gotten anywhere with that?" Harry asked, somewhat reluctantly. It was clear that the news Aera was his sister had made him even more averse to the plan.

"Yeah, Snape has asked Malfoy and me to work on a potion together next week. I should be able to find out some stuff during that time." Aera said.

Hermione let out a good-natured sniff. She didn't like the fact that Aera was bettering her at Potions. But she also didn't seem to like the idea of being asked to prepare a potion with the odious Draco Malfoy.

Aera smiled inwardly. She was honestly looking forward to Potions when she would be able to see Draco again. She missed him terribly. It had been just over three days since their intimate and exposing conversation and since then they'd had little time together. Very little time.

Heat threatened to fill Aera's cheeks as she realised where her thoughts were headed. Draco's kisses elicited powerful reactions in her and she was impatient to explore those feelings more . . .


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Please review! I need the feedback.

xx Aera