The Three Keys

A/N: I do not own any Harry Potter Characters, just my Laurel and her family.

______________________________________________________

Ch 30 - Meetings, Greetings and Talks – Part 2

Previously from Ch 29:

Draco closed his door and strode toward the direction he remembered coming up from last night.

He had to get to Potter first…Lay the groundwork with him before talking to Laurel. If he played his cards right…

Suddenly a soft, silky voice from behind him shook Draco from his thoughts, “Hello Draco.”

Draco froze; his pulse quickening and his eyes opening wide for a minute, before regaining his composure and turning around deliberately slow. He knew that voice…He’d know it anywhere…

“Hello Ginny.”

_______________________

Laurel sat gazing forlornly at a sea of faces silently gauging and contemplating her as she watched a very perturbed Harry Potter give his account of the events that preceded last evening’s attack.

She was surprised by the openly hostile attitude that Ministry officials obviously held for him and the barely contained air of disgust, contempt or out and out right distrust they were giving off. She was also acutely aware of how little compassion or pity for Harry (and she suspected herself) they had afforded thus far.

‘No wonder Ron had had such a bad feeling, this seemed more like a lynching than an investigation.’ Laurel thought.

She was so very glad now that she had refused to let Harry go into the meeting alone. From the look on his face, she knew he would have already exploded if she were not sitting there catching his eye at especially uncomfortable moments, giving him nods of comfort and encouragement.

Much to Harry’s surprise and relief, even after he’d been screaming at Laurel just moments before, she stubbornly held her ground and would not let him face the Ministry officials by himself. Laurel had told her mom how Ron had felt cornered and uncomfortable and that Harry had been through enough already and she would not let that happen to him no matter what.

Maggie finally relented when Laurel grabbed a stunned Harry’s arm and began dragging him from the breakfast room, telling her mother they would be up in her room when she changed her mind….And, so here they were….

But, even as the Ministry officials and members of the Order of the Phoenix continued to drill a now completely exhausted looking Harry with questions, her mind was not really on the group surrounding her or the account of the events that happened prior to her meeting the boys….

It was on the “talk” she and Harry had been having moments before being interrupted to come into the meeting.

There was no other way to describe it, she winced at the thought, it was an out and out right brawl. Laurel sighed to herself, thinking back as the worst of it played continuously in her head like a video loop stuck, repeating over and over and over:

“I – I think maybe we made a mistake..” she had said, knowing it was the wrong thing to say the minute the words were out of her mouth…They hung there, like a cartoon bubble, taunting her. Unable to retract them once said, she’d waited for Harry to respond and his angry retort was quick in coming.

“You certainly didn’t act like it was a mistake when you were snogging me!” he’d shot back in a defiant tone….She knew that was coming.

She’d told him about her Divination gift, only the part about sensing and feeling other’s emotions…He’d not believed a word…She’d NOT seen that coming…’How dare he not believe me!’ she’d fumed.

“Oh come on Laurel!” Harry had sneered, “Don’t give me some…some lame excuse as to why you’re not interested…there’s no need for empty explanations! I get it, you like Malfoy better than me.” Harry, always the hothead, acting before he thought things through just plowed on, “OH and don’t you worry, I won’t tell Prince Charming!”…

“WHAT?!” Laurel had hissed, angry and surprised by his fierce outburst. “My GOD, you are conceited!” she’d snapped back, watching his face flush with fury.

Harry absolutely HATED when people told him he was conceited or self-centered…After all, he couldn’t help it if he was usually the center of attention. He didn’t ASK to be born Harry Potter, he just got lucky…

“Now tell me Harry, what exactly it is that you don’t believe?? That I have a divination gift or the idea that I may like someone better than you!?”

“Not someone…. Malfoy! And, I AM NOT CONCEIATED!” he had bellowed, absolutely infuriated. “Malfoy is the one with the ego!”

“Humph, that’s not what it looks like from here! And, what is it exactly you won’t tell Draco, Harry? Because, as I recall it was YOU who kissed ME and not the other way around!”

“OH, I REMEMBER everything VERY clearly LAUREL!” he had growled, “Maybe Malfoy should know just how responsive you were in my arms last night!”

Finally Laurel had had enough and gave in. She threw her hands up in desperation, exhausted and unhappy about fighting with Harry. It was the last thing she wanted to do.

Laurel wanted…no needed to be with Draco. She needed to give them the chance to see what their destiny was (for she knew in fact it was destiny that had brought them together.) She had greatly hoped Harry would understand that emotions and the situation had just gotten the better of them both in a weak moment, coming off of a terrible ordeal…

Apparently, that didn’t seem to be getting through though. So, Laurel took a step back and decided to give Harry some room. At least now he knew not to pursue her any longer. Mission accomplished…she supposed.

Laurel knew Harry was upset and uneasy about the upcoming meeting and realized after the fact, this may not have been the best time to approach a conversation like this….’Of course it wasn’t Laurel, you moron!’ she’d fumed silently.

Laurel too, being just as impulsive and passionate as Harry, often jumped head first into situations without thinking things through and letting her emotions rule the moment…’Par for the course.’ she thought glumly.

But Laurel, unlike Harry, did calm down quickly after confrontations, her rational thoughts returning fairly clearly after blowing off steam.

She swiftly realized the best thing to do was to try and repair the damage done and apologized to Harry….He had grudgingly accepted, she presumed, as he just snorted at her and glared moodily in response.

She was secretly relieved when Maggie had come and told them it was time for Harry to go to the meeting….

----- -----

Laurel’s thoughts slowly drifted to the present and she began to become aware of the silence surrounding her in the room. She tuned completely back into the meeting now and glanced up at Harry and was shocked to see him looking at her, his mouth set in a firm line, eyebrow cocked as if waiting for a response…from her!

Maggie spoke up then, jolting Laurel’s nerves and she twitched involuntarily, “Well, Laurel has not had much sleep in the last 24 hours…Laurel, are you ready to speak?”

Laurel flushed crimson. She was always attentive, alert and articulate when in public. She couldn’t believe she’d completely zoned out and now she was caught…’GOD Laurel! What the hell is wrong with you?’

“Uh, I’m so sorry, could…could you repeat the question?” she stammered.

A deep voiced man, whom her mother addressed as Kingsley, spoke from behind Laurel. Turning to look at him, Laurel was taken by how much he reminded her of a tree. The man was obviously an Auror. He wore a white robe with a Ministry of Magic crest on the front with big bold letters A – D – L (Auror Defense League) at the base of it. Kingsley was dark skinned, tall and thick with bulging muscles and no visible neck at all, and when he spoke his deep, baritone voice resonated around the room.

“Could you please tell us your account of the events from the past evening as they occurred to you.” he repeated, an annoyed twinge evident in his voice.

Laurel nodded, “Yes, of course.” she stood on suddenly shaky legs and began to give her testimony.

At the back of her mind she wondered if Draco was all right and hoped he would stay far away from these people. She had a very strong feeling that his presence was what they were really waiting for. Like cannibals anxiously awaiting the main course after feasting on the piddling appetizers.

By God if this is how they treated Harry, the only wizard to survive SEVERAL encounters with the greatest villain the Wizarding world had ever seen, how in the hell were they going to treat Draco? Draco, who had valiantly saved Harry’s life…And Draco, who through no fault of his own, had a father sitting at Voldermort’s right hand….

She shuddered at the thought.

----- -----

Draco turned slowly to face Ginny.

He was surprised to see her that was for certain. He was also struck by how, if it was possible, she’d gotten even more beautiful since the summer break began.

Ginny had a warm smile on her face and said teasingly, “Glad to see you Malfoy…you know, still breathing…not in two pieces.”

“There’d be more of me to love...” he drawled.

“Mmmm.” she purred. “I think I like you better in one piece, thank you very much.”

Draco eyed her closely wondering, ‘What’s she doing here?’ “OK.” he said, “I give up. What are you doing here?”

Draco was already impatient. He needed to get to Diagon Alley. He needed to see Laurel, wrap his arms around her. He had to talk to Potter and get his help to get himself out of this house for a few hours…

Precious time was being wasted…Time he didn’t have.

Ginny sensed his impatience and giggled. Draco groaned. He didn’t need a giggling girl to deal with at the moment.

“So…” she smirked, guessing only part of the reason for his impatience. “The feeling is mutual I see.”

Draco sighed, crossed his arms and gave her a weary look. “Ginny,” he said in a clipped voice. “Don’t double talk me. What do you mean and what are you doing here? Hurry up, I don’t have all day.”

Ginny chuckled, “Geeze Malfoy, I’m just making conversation!” At the look in his eyes she relented. “OK, OKAY!” she said throwing her hands up in surrender, “Testy this morning aren’t we?”

“You try almost being sliced in two and nearly bleeding to death and see how cheerful you are the next morning.” He shot back.

Ginny’s expression changed instantly. Her big hazel eyes grew soft and Draco cringed inwardly. He was still attracted to her…he always would be. It was just that THEY could never be.

“Ginny…” Draco gave his best, back off voice and was curious as to why instead of seeing her pull back, she stepped closer to him…Draco was now on alert, Ginny was up to something…

“I really am glad you’re OK.” she said in a soft whisper.

‘What are you up to?’ he thought, as he looked down into that beautiful face with a scrutinizing expression, as if trying to see if what she said were true…“Thanks.” he said in a cool voice.

“Not just because you risked your life to save Harry either, but because YOU’RE OK…I would have been very upset if something happened to you, unless of course it’s me doing the hurting.” She grinned. “Don’t give me that look! And, I’m here with Ron for the rest of the summer. Mum and Dad think the Burrow may not be safe for Harry, so we’re staying here.”

“Good, I completely agree.” he said, giving a curt nod, “And…the other part?” Draco arched one golden brow waiting for her answer.

“What other…Oh, well - I’ve already met Laurel.” Ginny smiled broadly, her eyes glimmering with amusement as she watched Draco’s cheeks turn slightly pink and his eyes narrowed. She held back another giggle, but the laughter was in her voice, “She likes you.”

Draco’s eyebrows shot up. “I know that.” he answered smugly.

Ginny did laugh now. “Just thought you needed some affirmation.”

Draco’s curiosity got the better of him, “Why?...Didn’t you just say Laurel said she liked me?” He hoped…and he hoped she’d said it in front of Potter.

“Well, no…” Draco’s heart fluttered uncomfortably for a second. “She nearly bit my head off when I asked how you were though.” She smirked….”She was jealous.”

‘What? She’s…jealous?’… “Jealous?” Draco grinned.

“Blatantly so.” Ginny stated, grinning back.

‘HA! I hope that was in front of Potter. Maybe Ginny being here will work out very well for me…’ “Well,” he said with a sultry smile, “What do you expect? It is me after all…Draco Malfoy…Slytherin sex god.”

Ginny rolled her eyes, “How could I possibly forget?” Her voice dropped to a raspy murmur, “Oh, and one more thing…” He raised his eyebrows. “I forgot to properly thank you for saving Harry’s life…”

Before he could react Ginny pried his arms apart, letting her hands glide along his toned chest and up into his hair, grasping and tugging the golden strands down toward her, until his head bent to hers and she kissed him softly on the lips.

Draco’s arms remained firmly at his sides, flexing his fists to keep control as she pressed her lips more firmly to his, tilting his head and tasting him sensuously, coaxing his lips open as her tongue slid and flicked teasingly across his full bottom lip. Groaning despite himself, he opened his mouth as her tongue slipped in and danced with his hotly for a moment before Draco regained his senses and clenched her arms, pulling her firmly from him.

His face was a mixture of cocky arrogance and anger. “Ginny, don’t do that ever again.” he warned, fighting to keep his breath from hitching.

Ginny laughed the laugh of a woman completely confident of the effects she had on the opposite sex. “Sorry Malfoy, you’re just so damn kissable.”

“That’s besides the point.” he drawled with a sardonic smirk. He spoke slowly, taking a moment to force himself to calm down, “So, I take it that…enthusiastic…thank you means your back after Potter again?”

He was fighting off the flood of desire Ginny always gave him. After all, even though he had a very strong will, he was still a healthy, 17 year old male, and she was a beautiful girl who had just stuck her tongue down his throat…

She shrugged delicately, “Maybe…”

“Does Granger know this?”…’Granger…thinking of her is sure to squelch a hard-on.’ he thought wryly.

Ginny snorted, “Granger doesn’t know what she wants…But I do.”

Draco shook his head amused, “Isn’t she your best friend?”

He watched as Ginny shut her emotions down immediately and changed the subject. “So, you’re reforming your name calling ways for Laurel huh?”

He looked at her confused. “Excuse me?”

“We’ve been talking about Hermione for at least two whole minutes and you’ve managed not to sling your favorite name her way.” Ginny said, tilting her head and examining him intently.

Draco’s eyes turned silvery-grey and he looked away from her, “There are things Ginny, things I’ve done, things I’ve never told anyone…But…” he turned burning eyes to her, his tone cautious and suspicious now, “Wait, why would you say I’m reforming my ways for Laurel?”…He didn’t like where this conversation was going suddenly.

Ginny looked taken aback, and hesitated…’Doesn’t he know?’ she thought, not wanting to be the one to tell him if he didn’t…”Well…Don’t you know…about Laurel?” she questioned, trying to gage his expression, sense his feelings.

Draco reacted so quickly it frightened her, seizing her arms in his hands and squeezing them a little harder than he meant to. “What’s happened to her?” he demanded, “What are you not telling me?” As he said this panic seized him, ‘Maybe that’s why she wasn’t here this morning to see me? Is it Lucius? Is she hurt? She wasn’t last night?’ No, he didn’t think so, somehow he’d know. “Ginny…Tell me!” he snapped impatiently.

“NO!” she gasped nervously, “I told you I just saw her. She’s fine. It’s nothing like that Draco, let go of me, please.” she guessed he didn’t know…Sighing she said, “I just meant that Laurel is…well...She’s muggle born.”

“What?” he stammered, his heart thumping unevenly in his chest.

Things just got so much worse.

Draco had known from the moment he held Laurel in his arms that he wasn’t going to let her go without a fight. He’d never imagined having feelings for a muggle, but there they were. He was well, ecstatic, would be a close description to what he felt when he saw her charging up to save his life…realizing his far fetched hunch was correct, that she was a witch. It left him breathless and weak with relief.

But now, now he would have to deal with a whole new set of problems. Well, only one giant problem really -Lucius.

Lucius would never stand for him being with a good witch, but at least if she was pureblood she’d have some sort of protection if something happened to Draco. She’d have her lineage to fall back on. She’d have, Draco hoped a strong family bloodline that perhaps Lucius might honor, but there was no chance of that now.

If and when Lucius found out about Laurel, and he would…He would come after her just for the sheer pleasure of torturing Draco. But with her lineage soiled, in Lucius eyes, he would want nothing less than bloodlust.

That thought sent a petrifying chill down Draco’s spine. It meant one thing; that Laurel was already in trouble. Being mixed up with him was trouble anyway, but now…

Draco was at a distinct disadvantage, a position he NEVER liked to be in, especially when it was against Lucius Malfoy. Draco now had a weakness, one he knew Lucius would exploit to his full advantage and at his leisure. Leaving Draco to fret and be on constant alert for Laurel’s safety.

No use him trying to deny it, he cared for this girl he’d just met. He didn’t know why it happened, or how it happened so fast, but it had and he didn’t want to fight what he was feeling…Because Draco never thought about feeling anything pleasant before.

He was usually so focused on regret for what could have been in his life, already knowing what his destiny held that he never bothered to look to the future. Sure he planned for an escape, but in the back of his mind, he always thought he’d either die trying to escape or die resisting his father and the Dark Lord.

But now, whether it was lucky timing or fate, he’d met someone who he thought maybe he could look at and perhaps think of what may be…

He’d been blessed with a new set of emotions that he never imagined possible and maybe that was what made him long to hold onto her so much tighter. Never having had the real true desire to care before was new to him….And he liked it…A lot. And he would not lose that feeling, no matter what, or who tried to take it away.

So, Draco would do what he had to.

His eyes slid closed as he fought back another wave of fear for Laurel and for himself. He would protect her as best he could from the guaranteed threat of his father.

Ginny watched these emotions play across Draco’s usually stoic face and misinterpreted them all together. She narrowed her eyes in resentment and snapped, “Well, I should have known, a dog can’t change his spots!” and turned to walk away.

Draco’s eyes snapped open, he grabbed and spun Ginny around, thrusting her body up against his as he growled, furiously, into her now frightened face, “Don’t you begin to pretend to know what I’m feeling, Ginerva.” He went on in an accusing tone, “First, I don’t give a damn what Laurel’s lineage is…Yes, it complicates things, but things are always complicated for me. Second, don’t you mention this to her. I don’t want her thinking that we respect her any less…She’s a very powerful witch Ginny. You’d do well to befriend her…And NEVER disrespect her in front of me.” With that said he released her and she backed away slowly, her face a mix of indignation and bemusement.

“Merlin’s beard...” she said slowly, gawking at him with wide, astonished eyes. “I don’t believe it. You’re in love with her!”

Draco’s heart stopped. ‘Love?’ He didn’t even know what that was. What it meant. The idea was simply ludicrous. “Ginny,” he said, as a cold smile played across his face. “you don’t know what you’re talking about. Stop letting your girlish fantasies cloud reality. I just met Laurel and I’m certainly NOT in love.”

Ginny continued to gawk with huge, knowing eyes. She finally managed a weak smile, “It’s all right Malfoy, your secret’s safe with me.” She turned to walk away but turned back again, “If I were you though, I wouldn’t keep my feelings hidden for too long.” Her eyes grew somber, “You never know when someone might be waiting to step in and sweep her off her feet…”

Draco’s eyes grew cold and he turned on his heel and stalked away. ’That’s not going to happen…Laurel belongs with ME.’

Ginny watched him go, hoping her manipulative words would spur him into action, steering Laurel into Draco’s arms and far away from Harry. “Go get her, tiger.” she whispered.

Ginny’s brow quirked up and she too turned on her heel and strode away – planning how to get the love of her life finally into her arms once and for all.

----- -----

Draco marched down the winding staircase leading to the entrance hall he recognized from last night. He was too amped up on adrenaline to remember how tired and weak he still was. Besides, his mind was swimming. 'Love? What is that? How do I know how to even identify it? If I find it, will I know? Am I, Draco Malfoy, even capable of love?’

At that he stopped at the base of the stairs and heard voices coming from a closed set of doors in front of him. Coming closer he heard the one voice that set his skin tingling…Hearing her soothed and set his turbulent emotions at ease instantly. And she was saying his name…“Draco.”

He listened to her and shuddered, as just hearing her speak wrapped him in a warm blanket of new, exciting emotions that were foreign to him. Like a bandage for his soul, he let them engulf and comfort him, knowing the key to those feelings was just a door away.

Was it foolhardy to feel this way so early? Probably so, but he didn’t really care. Draco was a man of clear decisive action and of reason. This was not a rational decision, but it was a decisive one and one he wanted very badly.

Leaning his weight against the cool door, Draco slid his eyes closed, her name a breath from his lips, “Laurel.” What he wouldn’t give at this moment to be able to say that name every day for the rest of his life and hear that voice say his name, see those beautiful brown eyes shining and smiling into his….

Draco’s eyes popped open at that thought, "Oh shit.” he groaned as a crooked grin teased his lips.

Raking a shaky hand through his hair, Draco stood up tall, shoulders straight and opened the door.

With a confident resolve he hadn’t had hours ago, he walked into that room and into whatever fate had set for them with the idea that he may have finally found someone worth truly fighting for.

__________________________________________

A/N: Sigh. What'd ya think of the kiss? Did you FEEL the heat between Draco and Ginny? And, Draco, in love? So soon? Well, I dunno. What do you think? Do you believe in love at first sight? You know the old saying...the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

A/N - OK ALL, go tell me what you think. Also, don't forget that if you'd like to be put on my personal email update list, just leave a review with your email and you'll be added.

If you're interested in joining, I have a Yahoo Discussion Group going and I'd love for you to pop in and see if it's somthing you'd like. Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hpthreekeysfanfictiongroup/

HAPPY READING!

Lorett