Twin Dragons

The next day found Kitara in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom once again. The day's lesson was on pain, and while most of the students became squeamish early on in the lecture, Kitara listened in rapt fascination. She was vaguely aware of Draco watching her, but she was so wrapped up in the lecture that it did not take much effort to ignore him. When class ended, however, she found him suddenly face to face with her.

"You looked awfully interested in learning about pain, little dragon. Are you sure you don't have a bit of Slytherin in you?"

Irritated, Kitara tried to push past him. She could see Oliver waiting for her just down the hall. "I told you not to call me that."

"Forgive me, please," Draco said, sounding not at all sorry. Again Kitara tried to go around him, and he moved to block her path.

"What do you want, Draco?" she said, getting angry.

Draco smiled. "We were having a conversation last night, and I, for one, would like to finish it."

"I'm not interested. Now move."

He shook his head. "Afraid not."

Kitara stopped trying to escape him and stood firm, cocking an eyebrow at him. "Fine, Draco. You want to do this the hard way?" She looked over his shoulder to where Oliver stood and waved a hand at him.

"Oi! Oliv--"

A hand clapped over her mouth, and Draco dragged her down a nearby hallway, where only a few students were scurrying to and fro. Kitara looked indignant, but Draco did not apologize.

"Now, now, little dragon. I don't think I've done anything bad enough to warrant a beating from our dear Quidditch Captain. Do you?" He slowly removed his hand from her mouth. "Now let's proceed like civilized people, shall we?"

"You're off to a wonderful start, manhandling me like that," Kitara spat.

"A necessary evil. You're terribly stubborn."

Kitara glared at him as she straightened her robes. "What is it that you so desperately need to talk about, you arrogant brat?"

Draco tsked under his breath. "Such language, little dragon.""Knock it off with the "little dragon' bit already, will you? It drives me crazy."

"Thus the basis of its appeal," said Draco smoothly.

Kitara rolled her eyes. "Are you going to talk, or should I beat you up myself and be on my way?"

The blonde boy laughed. "Alright then. Here's what I want to know. What did you mean by what you said last night?"

"Which part?" Kitara said, trying to be difficult.

"I think you know." Draco's voice was soft but dangerous. "You said you knew what I really was. Pray elaborate."

She looked at him for a long minute, trying to decide if she really wanted to share with him the things she had deduced over the past few days.

"Fine," she said at last. "I'll tell you what I meant. You act like you hate everyone, and maybe you do, but its not because you think you're better than them."

Draco's eyebrows shot up, and he didn't seem to know whether to be pleased or offended by this remark. Kitara went on, though, not giving him a chance to respond.

"You're jealous. Jealous that people like the Weasleys, even though they're poor. You're richer than half the school put together and you still can't buy yourself decent friends."

A dark, angry flush rose in the Slytherin's pale cheeks. Feeling empowered, Kitara continued, her voice gaining strength.

"You hate Harry because he's famous. Your whole life is aimed toward becoming as renowned as he is, and he hardly had to do anything to earn it. Your parents push you to be the best, and try as you might, Harry's always one step ahead of you."

"What the devil would you know about my parents?" Draco hissed.

"Plenty. Like this, for example-the crowning jewel of it all- they don't really love you. Harry's parents died to protect him, and yours won't even look at you. Their only concern is that you become just like them. Short of that, you're little more than a decoration in your own home. Harry's parents truly loved him, and for that you can never forgive him."

His full-armed slap shocked her, but she was so inflamed that it didn't hurt much. She slapped him back, knocking him to the floor. He sat there, staring up at her, his cheeks crimson and his eyes unbelieving. Tears stood in the corners of them. That, more than his slap, made her feel she had gone too far. Suddenly the feeling of power drained away from her, and she felt sorry for him.

"Draco—" she began, kneeling beside him.

"Don't," he said, his voice low and husky. "I shouldn't have asked. Bloody hell, I shouldn't have spoken to you in the first place. You really are a dragon."

Kitara tried to apologize. "Look, I didn't mean—"

"Just go," he whispered. When she didn't move, his voice became hard. "Go! You've done enough."

Slowly, Kitara stood and walked away, refusing to look back.