The Curse of Love

Chapter 3

Stefenie woke up with a start. She lay flat on her back, breathing hard as though she had been running. She had awoken from a vivid dream with her hands rigidly clutching her bed sheets, beads of cold sweat on her face and torso. She tried to recall what she had been dreaming about before she had awoken. It had seemed so real…yet now, she had no idea what she had been dreaming about.

Stefenie took deep breaths, prying her clammy hands loose from her bed sheets and slowly sitting up. A beam of cold moonlight streamed in through the window, casting an eerie glow on the mirror opposite her bed. Looking around the dorm, she saw Lavender sleeping peacefully and Parvati snoring quietly, mumbling incoherent words once in a while, obviously deep in a dream.

Well, at least I didn’t wake anyone up, Stefenie thought with a sigh.

She lay back down on her bed, brushing feelings of doom and self-pity aside, chiding herself for being stupid. She was sure she was safe here in Hogwarts. It was just a bad dream. Nothing to worry about…was the last thought Stefenie had before she drifted off into another disturbed sleep.

**********************

“Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, Waaaaaaaake UUUUUUUUPPPP!!!” Lavender’s enchanted alarm clocked screamed, banging Lavender’s table with its small wooden hammers.

Stefenie bolted upright from sleep in shock. It seemed as if she had only bsleesleeping for a minute. She shot a death glare at the noisy clock. Stupid clock. I’ve been here for two weeks and still I haven’t got used to it. She stared around at her dorm mates, sleeping like nothing happened. Cursing under her breath, she grabbed her wand from her bedside and pointed it at the screaming clock. “Stupefy!” she whispered irritably and breathed in relief when there was blessed silence in the dorm.

Now I can’t go back to sleep. Stefenie thought exasperatedly, cursing once again under her breath.

She grabbed her towel and robes, and padded out of the dorm quietly, closing the door behind her with a small ‘click’. Stefenie was feeling downright grouchy today. She hasn’t been sleeping well for the past three weeks and the early morning routines were getting on her nerves.

She had to talk to Lavender about that darned clock.

Plus the fact that people’s heads still turned and then whispered among themselves whenever she walked pasta coa corridor was unnerving and downright irritating. Well, maybe it had something to do with her always being with Harry, Hermione and Ron. But that was only in between classes and meals.

Which is nearly all the time, Stefenie admitted.

Besides that, Ginny has become one of her closest friends in Hogwarts. And for that reason, Ginny’s other gal pals were beginning to shun them both. They sort of kept their distance whenever Ginny was with her. And to Stefenie’s frustration, she didn’t know why Ginny’s friends didn’t like her to be close with Ginny.

Maybe they’re just jealous that Ginny and I get along so well, Stefenie shrugged. Oh well. People can be so weird.

She walked into the empty bathroom and looked around, the morning sun bathing the room in a rich golden glow. She sighed. Today is going to be another long day.

********************

“Hey Mione! We’re over here!” Ron yelled over the boisterous laughter and chatter in the Great Hall. Hermione hurried over to Ron’s side, dumping her bag and armful of books on the seat beside her.

“Hermione! It’s early in the morning! What are you doing with that load of books?” Ron exclaimed.

“Never you mind, Ron. Obviously you wouldn’t be able to understand. You never had for the past six years. Why start now?” Hermione replied sarcastically.

“Ron, we have a test on Herbology in two days. Use your brain?” Harry said lightly, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“I’m just asking…” Ron mumbled under his breath.

Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to his food. He was about to take a huge bite off an every-flavor fruit tart, when he noticed that Stefenie was sitting rather quietly beside him, pushing the food around on her plate. He observed her for a while, taking in the dark rings under eye eyes, the paleness of her skin, and her slow, tired movements.

“Stef? Are you ok?” Harry said quietly, a concerned expression etched on his face.

She turned startled, unfocused eyes to him. “Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m fine,” she replied, after a moment.

“Are you sure? Cause you sure don’t look fine. Maybe you should go to Madam Pomfrey for some Pepper-up Potion. You look as if you haven’t slept in weeks,” Harry said worriedly.

“I’m fine, Harry. Just had a bad dream last night. That’s all.”

“Well, maybe you should still see Madam Pomfrey for—”

“Harry, I’m fine,” Stefenie cut him off tersely, rather loudly.

Ron and Hermione looked up at them in sure. Se. Stefenie sighed inwardly and forced a smile. She didn’t want a fuss to be made. She sat up straight and brushed a few stray hairs from her face.

“So, what are you guys talking about?” she asked brightly.

Ron and Hermione exchanged puzzled looks and glanced at Harry whom merely shrugged and continued eating.

“Well…we were talking about double Potions later this afternoon with the Slytherins. We’re wondering what Snape is brewing up for us this time. Some potion called Reteriserum. Something to do with snapping orchids,” Hermione quipped.

“Yeah, imagine Malfoy dealing with flowers. I hope one of his fingers get snapped off,” Ron chuckled.

Stefenie frowned.

“I’ve heard everyone talk about this Draco Malfoy persona, but in these past two weeks that I’ve been here, I’ve never actually met or even seen the guy in real life! That’s weird cause we do have classes with the Slytherins right? And for someone that notorious, it wouldn’t be hto sto spot him. It almost seems like he’s invisible! Or maybe he’s just avoiding me,” Stefenie flailed her arms around in mock frustration.

“Stef, that’s jubsurbsurd. Why would Malfoy avoid someone he doesn’t even know?” Hermione said dismissively.

“Yeah, he probably had all the detentions to attend or maybe he’s in the infirmary recovering from dozens of hexes he got from others,” said Ron sardonically.

“Ron, don’t be daft,” Hermione injected, “Malfoy’s Head Boy. If he had that many hexes thrown at him, whoever that person is would’ve been suspended by now. Besides, he’s one of the three champions of the Dueling Club. Only Harry dares to duel with him.”

Stefenie raised her eyebrows. “One of the champions?” she asked.

Harry began shoveling food into his mouth. Ron cleared his throat loudly.

“Ah, I’m guessing that you,” she turned to Harry, “are one of the champions then? Who’s the third?”

Ron and Hermione stiffened, shooting nervous glances at Harry and each other.

Harry mumbled something incoherent, his face turning red.

“Huh? What did you say?” Stefenie asked, puzzled by her friends’ expressionstheitheir faces.

Harry hastily swallowed the last of his food and jumped up from the table, muttering an excuse to leave the Great Hall. Stefenie watched his retreating back as he walked out of the Great Hall. She was puzzled by his reaction and she wanted an answer.

“Herm, what’s wrong? What did I say?” she asked worriedly.

Hermione and Ron exchanged looks, and Ron shrugged as if to say ‘you do it’. Hermione sighed and told Stefenie, “The third champion was Cedric Diggory. He died during our fourth year. Murdered. Cedric was Cho’s boyfriend. Harry blames himself for not being able to save him. You see, he blames himself for Cho’s pain. Up till now.”

“But, surely Harry couldno ano anything. It’s not his fault,” said Stefenie.

“Yeah, well. Harry witnessed his murder. He was there. It’s actually quite a long story. Maybe I’ll tell it to you later tonight. We’re having classes in 5 minutes,” Hermione said firmly, a tone in her voice warning Stefenie not to pursue the matter any further…for now.

******************

Today, she is wearing a pale blue dress with straps, underneath the school robes. The dress comes down to her knees, and there is a smudge near the hem that she has not noticed yet. Her golden skin looks smooth, soft. She is not wearing any makeup; she doesn’t need it. Her hair is caught up into a tousled ponytail, making her look even younger and more vulnerable.
When she laughs, she makes a silvery tinkling sound, like a stream tripping over pebbles. If I told her that I loved her, she would laugh at me like that. She would think that I was not serious. That is what she does. She turns what is serious and big into a small thing, a joke. Love is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. One day, soon, she will understand that.
She talks very quickly, in a light, husky voice. She has golden, chocolaty eyes. She is not frightened yet.

******************

Jaime prodded the purple orchid lying docilely on his table. You don’t fool me, he jeered at the flower quietly.

“Mr. Mortimer! I think I made it very clear that you are to start cutting the orchid now?” Professor Snape snapped, making Jaime jump.

Jaime peered at the flower uncertainly. He didn’t want to lose any fingers with this ferocious looking thing. Teeth everywhere! “You’d think this was an animal instead of an orchid,” muttered Jaime under his breath.

“Mr. Mortimer! I do not permit talking during my class!” Professor Snape said sharply.

Jaime Mortimer pressed his lips tightly together, fighting down the urge to answer back rudely. He hates Snape’s class. It’s like a bloody prison. He didn’t understand why Draco Malfoy seemed to love Potions. He got the highest grades in the subject, and had won quite a few Potion Brewing competitions.

Or so I’ve heard, Jaime thought.

Looking around the class, he caught sight of a silver head, bent in concentration over a jumpy bunch of petals and teeth. That’s strange. I was beginning to think that Malfoy’s so good in Potions that he stopped coming for classes already. I wonder what finally made him show up, Jaime mused.

Pulling one petal, Jaime quickly snatched his hand back when the flower suddenly jerked.

“Mortimer, if you are so frightened of a simple flower…” Snape began ominously, the rest of his lecture buzzing like an irritating mosquito in Jaime’s ear. Out of the corner of his eye, he looked at the Gryffindors’ tables, scanning for Stefenie.

Hmm…she’s not here. Wonder where she went. Jaime suddenly felt a surge of worry. Right, I come all the way here to look out for her and now, I don’t know where she went for a few hours and I start to freak. Jaime Mortimer, chill. She’s probably off to help some teacher or something.

Jaime ground his teeth in frustration. Snape is really beginning to get on his nerves.

*********************

Draco ked ked out of Potions, his robe swishing around himnousnously making the first and second years scatter like frightened rabbits. It gave him some form of satisfaction to be able to do that. The robe-swishing thing was a trick he learnt from his father. It worked very well, especially when he wanted to be left alone.

Surprisingly,was was not in a good mood. His Reteriserum potion had turned out fine, he was tied for top position in all his subjects with Granger except Potions-he was top, he could have any girl he wanted, Ginny was giving him regular late night visits once more, and all his efforts to keep out of sight from Stefenie Courdo were working perfectly.

So why am I in such a foul mood? Draco grounded his teeth in frustration.

“Hey Drakie-boy!” a voice yelled from behind him. Draco gritted his teeth in anger. He hated that name. He threw a glare at a twittering third year girl, whom immediately subsided. He stopped in his tracks and turned around slowly, a scowl darkening his features.

“Mortimer.” It was more of a sneer than a greeting.

Jaime didn’t like Draco, but he ignored the open hostility. He sauntered over to Draco casually and stopped a few feet away. Jaime was tall, but Draco was a few inches taller than he was; he didn’t want to feel dwarfed.

“Haven’t been seeing you around when we have classes with the Gryffindors, Drakoy. oy. Why is that?” Jaime asked quy, sy, searching Draco’s face for a reaction. But Draco’s face didn’t change; he was never the one whose feelings were easily read by others.

“Whether or not I attend classes is none ofr bur business, Mortimer,” Draco replied curtly.

“Now, now Drakie-boy,” Jaime said patronizingly, “manners.”

Draco’s eyes hardened in anger, but his face remained impassive. “Don’t call me that Mortimer. And who are you to patronize me. Just like a mother. That girly name of yours must be clouding your sexuality,” Draco taunted.

“I am every bit a man, Malfoy. And I can call you anything I like,” Jaime answered smoothly.

Draco spun around to walk away, but the soft, silky voice of Jaime Mortimer beside his ear stopped him.

“Malfoy, I know all about you. I know why you’re not in class when the Gryffs join us. I know why Stefenie Courdo hasn’t been able to catch even a glimpse of you. I know why you’re so troubled that you can’t sleep at night, even after a tryst with Weasley’s sister. I know what you’ve done. One slip up Malfoy, is all I need to give you what you deserve. Olip lip up, and you’ll be hearing from us. I’m here to protect her. You won’t be able to touch her this time, Malfoy,” Jaime whispered harsly into Draco’s ear. Satisfied, he took a step back and turned around to walk away.

Draco stood very still for a few moments, numerous thoughts flying through his mind. Suddenly, he spoke out loudly, his sneerioiceoice echoing down the corridor to Jaime Mortimer.

“We’ll see about that, Mortimer.”

*******************

“Albus, how long more does this have to go on? The poor child, she’s–”

“-doing just fine, Minerva. Patience. She needs to find out on her own.”

“But, Albus, I’m afraid. What if she can’t handle it when she finally knows? What will happen?”

“Everything will be made beautiful in its time, Minerva. Have faith.”

*******************

Stefenie walked into the library, immediately spotting a mountain of books on top of a desk. She headed quickly for the pile, snatching a book hastily off a shelf. ‘How To Purify Your Toilet’s Pimples!’ read the title.

Stefenie raised her eyebrows. What?

She plopped herself down at the next desk and opened her ridiculous book, bending down to conceal her face. Glancing at the frizzy brown head buried in a book, she whispered, “Herm!”

No response.

“Mione!” she tried again, more urgently. Again, no response. Stefenie sighed. She didn’t want to waste time.

“Hermione!” she whispered sharply, drawing the attention of two Ravenclaws sitting opposite her.

Ignoring the glares of the two girls, she broke out into a grin when Hermione finally looked up at her. “Stef! Didn’t see you in Potions today. Where did you go?” Hermione whispered curiously.

“Dumbledore called me out. We had a talk about…you know.”

Hermione’s eyes widened momentarily. “Oh, right. Well, Harry, Ron and I won’t say anything to anyone if that’s what you’re here to tell me.”

Stefenie rolled her eyes playfully. “Mione, Dumbledore trusts the three of you. I trust the three of you. Anyway, that’s not what I’m here for.”

“Then, what is it?” Hermione asked quizzically.

“Well, we’re going to Hogsmeade this weekend right? And…argh. I don’t like this whispering. It’s tiring. Can we go somewhere else? Please?” Stefenie gave Hermione an imploring look.

Hermione nodded. She closed her book with a bang, making the two Ravenclaws jump and a huge cloud of dust rise up. The Ravenclaws glared at Stefenie and Hermione, their eyes following their every movement until they were out of sight.

Once they stepped out of the library, Stefenie let out a loud sigh of relief and stretched her arms out in freedom. Hermione swatted her arm playfully. “You are as bad as Ron sometimes,” Hermione chuckled. Stefenie turned to Hermione, a cheeky grin on her face.

“You like him, don’t you?” Stefenie said slyly.

“What?! Of course not! Ronald Weasley? Why, that’s absurd!” Hermione blurted out quickly, her face turning a bright red.

“Right, right,” Stefenie muttered unbelievingly, “Oh, come on Mione. I see the way you look at him. Ahe whe way he looks at you too,” Stefenie teased.

Hermione sputtered indignantly. “Stefenie Courdo! That’s…that’s…” Hermione grappled for words.

“preposterous?” Stefenie suggested. Hermione stared at her, momentarily speechless. Stefenie sighed, linked her arm with Hermione’s and started to walk to the Great Hall.

“Hermione, you can trust me okay? Look, I know you have liked Ron for, what, six years now? And it’s obvious Ron likes you too. He’s just too chicken to do anythiboutbout it.” Motioning with her hand for Hermione to keep quiet, Stefenie continued excitedly, “I had an idea just now. That’s why I came to look for you. Look, why don’t we go and have a makeover this weekend at Hogsmeade? Make Ron really sit up and notice. What do you think? It’ll be fun by the way!”

“Okay, okay, you got me. I do have some feelings for Ron…but a makeover? Stef, I want Ron to like me for who I am, not what I look like.”

“I know, I know. But we’re not going to make drastic changes or anything. Just do your hair and go shopping a bit. And don’t say you don’t want to change your hair. You’ve complained about it a thousand and one times ever since I met you. Besides, I need to do some changes too.”

“You need a makeover? Darling, you don’t need one. You can capture Harry’s attention from Cho anytime.”

Stefenie blushed prettily. “I-,” she started.

“Yeah, don’t tell me now that you don’t like him. You’re not the only one who sees things around here,” Hermione teased her lightly.

“Well, I wasn’t thinking of doing anything to my hair. Just buy some new robes, that’s all,” Stefenie eyed her robes critically, “these belonged to Fred.”

“No kidding? No wonder they look so old. You should get new ones,” Hermione agreed, “hey, I don’t mean to prod but…does Ginny know about you as her new sister?”

Stefenie gave Hermione a half-smile, half-grimace.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. “When are you actually planning to tell her?” she asked incredously.

“Actually, Ron is supposed to break the news to her. Don’t you think it’s better for him to do it?” Stefenie said matter-of-factly.

Hermione sighed. “He better get down to it,” she muttered darkly as they entered the Great Hall for dinner.

*******************

Small, seeking hands circled his waist from behind, a warm, soft body pressing against his back. Moist, hot lips caressed his neck gently, a feminine hand trailing down his stomach to his belt buckle.

On normal occasions, Draco would have enjoyed this attention but today, he just couldn’t focus. Gently, he detached himself from Ginny’s grasp and strode over to the window, looking out into the darkness. He heard Ginny sigh and the rustle of sheets.

“Draco, what is it? Did I do something wrong?”

“It’s not you Ginny.”

“Then-?”

“I’m just not in the mood,” Draco said tiredly. He turned around to face Ginny, both surveying the other.

“I know how to fix that,” Ginny smiled foxily. Draco eyed her curiously, watching her get up and sit at the foot of his bed. He raised one eyebrow when she let her coverings fall to the floor, wearing only her skin.

“Wow,” Draco said sarcastically.

Ginny rolled her eyes. Making sure Draco was watching her, she slid her legs open and started to stroke herself with feather-light motions.

Draco was surprised at Ginny’s boldness. But that didn’t mean he didn’t like it. Oh, he liked it all right. He liked it a lot. He continued to watch her, his face betraying no emotion he was feeling inside. His pulse quickened when he saw Ginny’s pussy open like a flower, her fingers wet with her excitement.

Ginny closed her eyes and let out a low moan, slipping one finger inside her. She knew Draco liked what he saw. His face revealed nothing but the front of his pants was telling a very interesting story indeed. She smiled inwardly. She could hear his breathing quicken.

“Draco…” she moaned breathily, slipping a second finger de ode of her.

Draco growled under his breath and strode over to Ginny, slapping her hands away from herself. “That’s my job,” he leered.

Ginny’s hands flew to his pants and in one thrust, Draco was inside her. Ginny cried out in pleasure as Draco slammed again and again into her. She wrapped her legs around him tighter, pushing him deeper into her. Draco groaned and thrust into her harder.

“Oh, yes! Yess! Draco! Harder! Harder! Ohh…”

Draco merely grunted in reply and concentrated on fucking Ginny as hard as he could, all the anger in him giving him extra strength. He knew that Ginny would be sore and bruised in the morning but he didn’t care. She’s asking for it anyway, Draco thought sardonically.

He looked down at Ginny writhing beneath him. He smirked when she whimpered.

“Please, Draco. Just a little more…ohhh…yess…deeper…ahh…ohh…yess! Yess! Yess! Draco!!” Ginny screamed, her body arching up as wave after wave of pleasure drowned her.

Draco pulled out of Ginny and rolled over onto the bed.

“Draco?” came Ginny’s soft voice, “you haven’t-”

“Get some sleep Ginny. We have classes tomorrow.”

Draco pulled the sheets up to his waist, turning away from Ginny. He was still painfully aroused. His senses were on fire. But he couldn’t find the satisfaction he needed. Not here. Not with Ginny. Draco closed his eyes tightly and tried to get to sleep.

He knew that it was going to be another long night.