Both Sides of a Secret

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Harry Potter, but I do own this original character.

Title: Both Sides of a Secret
Pairing: Draco/OC
Rating: R-NC17
Warnings: NO spoilers for Deathly Hallows. Contains: An intersex character (Aine), SLASH, masturbation, possible sexual intercourse, crossdressing, language. All warnings may not apply to this chapter, but they can and will be present in future chapters.
Setting: 7th year of Hogwarts School of Magic. Voldermort is gone, no one is dead. Hurray.
Summary: An odd vision, and an odd conversation.
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Draco blushed softly at the sight of Aine. He could still remember what passed in front of his eyes during that time in the shower. He saw emerald eyes scan the room and landed upon his own. He smiled at her before watching Aine walk over to him and offered her a seat, thankfully, next to him. Aine sighed and saw the already prepared food in front of her. She blinked at looked at him. "You didn't need to..."

"I know. I figured your father caught up to you, so a nice breakfast would be a good way to unwind." Draco received a grateful smile in return, and wanted nothing more than to receive more n the future.

"You're a lifesaver, you know that?" Aine poured strawberry syrup over her french toast and ate with abandon, not realizing how truly hungry she was until her plate was empty in minutes. Wide silver eyes watched this feat before starting on his own food.

"I'm guessing by the inhalation of food that you've been given detention?" Draco saw Aine sigh and nod, allowing her to swallow her food before talking.

"Every Tuesday at six in the evening for a month. I won't be so bad...I think." Aine tilted her head softly in contemplation. Draco merely smirked.

"You seem to make the best of all situations. I still remember that time we were locked out of our House and you made us recite every potion we needed to know for the Potions exam, else we face your wrath since most were horrid at that subject." Aine shook her head in amusement. "I can't deny that we got the best grades in the class. By the way, when is the next study session?" That infamous Malfoy smirk graced his features as he waited for an answer.

"When the next bunch of idiots get themselves locked out. But I can see that happening in Gryffindor pretty soon-" Emerald eyes widened and a gasp of pain left her throat. She couldn't tell what was happening, except that a dark shroud overcame her and cause pain to electrify her nerves. She swam in this dark, painful abyss, trying to get away from the red eyes that seemed to follow her every movements. The twin scar on her leg throbbed with white hot pain, the same spot where Nagini once struck. Aine let loose a scream before hissing out at the black snake that threatened to wrap around her.

"Stay back..." Aine's voice sounded different, but the warning was all the same. It must have worked for the time being, for she felt the darkness lightening each passing second before moving into consciousness.
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Snape was grimacing at his student roster, knowing this year would no doubt be a hardship on him, having to put up with students who could barely brew tea, let alone a simple potion. Something seized his mind and deep onyx eyes widened in fear. He felt a chill run over his body.

"Aine..."
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"Aine! AINE!" Draco tried to ease the moans of pain coming from his childhood friend. 'At least the thrashing stopped...' He has never seen her in this much pain before, and it made him frustrated and angry with himself that he couldn't make it stop. He saw a figure knelt next to him and was relieved by the extra help. "We need to get her to Madam Pomfrey, Potter."

The other male nodded softly but gasped as Aine's petite hand caught Harry's throat in a iron grip.

"Stay back..." Red slits narrowed at the Boy Who Lived and no doubt startled said male. Harry tried to pry himself from the fingers, only managing to do so with Draco's help. He watched in utter shock as the girl seemed to be calming down, although a light sheen of sweat covered her caramel skin.

'Was...was that Parseltongue?' Harry had little time to think and the doors to the great hall swung open with a bang. He turned his head in time to see a very angry and worried father stride into the room. Snape knelt down to his daughter and scooped her up gently. He looked to the Gryffindor and Slytherin.

"Come with me." Snape did not wait for them to follow, because he expected them to. His child was his top priority at the moment. It ached him to hear whimpers of pain coming from the being in his arms, and he only quickened his steps. If he could apparate there he would, but not with the charms around this school.

Pansy looked at who stepped into the medical ward and smirked. She didn't expect her plan to come into fruition so early, but nevertheless, it was a welcome turn of events. She was glad to be volunteering in the medical ward; Madam Pomfrey thinking that she wanted to excel in healing. What a croc.

Aine was set upon a comfortable looking cot and was immediately attended to. Snape had a troubled look on his face at the sight of his child. Draco was just as pain stricken. At one point they were chatting over breakfast, the next she was strangling Potter with her hand. Snape caught both teen's attention and motioned for them to step outside. Once they were sure that they wouldn't be heard, Snape interrogated them.

"What in Merlin's name happened?" Snape's face was stone-set, watching both teens look to one another.

"I'm...not really sure." Draco spoke first, thinking back to just a few minutes ago. "We were talking while eating breakfast, and then all of a sudden she just...collapsed. I'm glad I was sitting next to her and caught her before she fell..." Draco's features were full of confusion. "She was...in so much pain...I couldn't do anything to help..."

Snape placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder before looking to Harry. "How do you play in this event, Potter?" Harry looked at him nervously.

"I went to see what the commotion was about, and I saw Aine on the floor, with her head in Malfoy's lap. I went over to help and get her to Madam Pomfrey, but then she grabbed my throat and was choking me. And..." He went over the last detail in his mind a few times before continuing in uncertainty. "I think she spoke Parseltongue..." Snape and Draco' looked at the boy incredulously.

"Are you sure of this, Potter? Have you taken one too many blows to the head? Or did my daughter cut off the flow of blood to the working part of your brain?" Harry merely rolled his eyes at Snape's snide comments.

"I'm definitely sure..." Harry looked to both men in worry. "Isn't that ability very rare? How and why would Aine know it?"

Snape thought back to something and narrowed his eyes. He was about to voice his opinion when Madam Pomfrey alerted them that Aine had woken up and was asking for them, namely Draco, but all of them went inside anyway. 'So that snake of Voldermort's is still playing games, even now...'

Aine looked around tiredly, smiling at the sight of her guests. "Look how popular I am. So many visitors..." Her voice was weak, much to their dismay, but knowing that she was alright made them less worried. Draco pulled up a chair and say next to her, placing a hand atop of hers. Harry sat next to the Slytherin male, while Snape sat on the other side. "What...what happened?"

"We'd like to know that. One minute we're chatting, the next you're throttling Potter, although that was a nice change of events." Aine laughed softly at the statement before looking to Harry.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Kitten...well, hell, I don't even remember doing anything..." Snape looked to the flushed Potter, mouthing 'Kitten' in confusion. Harry ignored this and averted his eyes back to Aine. "All I remember is...darkness...and...those red eyes..." Terror seemed to find its way to Emerald eyes, yet that emotion seemed to disappear when a gentle hand brushed over her face. She turned her head and smiled at her father. "Daddy..."

"Don't fret over the details. At the moment, it's best that you get some rest. We can talk when you're better." Snape smoother down dark locks on Aine's head before seeing Pansy came through with a glass of water and a small pill.

"You're instructed to take one of these each day. You can leave after your first class. A prescription will be given to you." Pansy handed her the pill and glass, watching as Snape helped Aine sit up to take the medicine. Snape eyed the pill warily and looked to Pansy.

"What exactly is this pill for? What does it do?" He saw Pansy give a gentle smile.

"It's meant to dull the pain in her body, especially since those two bite marks on her leg became inflamed." Pansy watched with masked glee as Aine took the pill, unaware of its properties, and the harm it will cause. 'That's right, take your medicine...'

Snape's fear of what Pansy said made him uncover Aine's leg and clench his teeth, as his assumptions were correct. The place wear Nagini sank her vicious fangs into his daughter were indeed inflamed, as if the bite took place a few minutes ago, instead of almost a year ago. He cursed silently and caught the gaze of the other three students. He saw their astonished looks before looking to Aine, who merely blinked at them.

"What? Why are you all staring? It's quite rude." Aine finished the water and saw Harry stand up abruptly. "Kitten?"

"Uh, I have to speak to Malfoy in the hall. We'll be back." He tugged Draco to his feet and left. Aine tilted her head to the side and looked to her father.

"What the bloody hell was that about? Did I just inadvertently miss something?" Snape merely shrugged and helped Aine lay back down.

"With Potter involved, anything is possible."

Draco cursed at the Boy Who Lived and managed to yank his arm from his grasp. "I am not cattle, Potter! What the bloody hell-"

"Why haven't you asked Aine out yet?" Harry's voice was hushed and annoyed. The blonde pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance.

"You are quite tactless..."

"Just answer the question, Malfoy. I thought that was the reason we broke up, so you could be with her." Harry looked at the other, his unique emerald eyes peering into silver. The young heir sighed and looked to the side.

"I'm trying to find the best way to do it."

"You're wasting time!"

"Don't you think I know that?" Silver eyes became hard as he looked at his ex-boyfriend. Harry sighed and softened his features.

"It isn't like you to just dawdle, Draco. There are others who are interested in Aine, you know. Don't let her get snatched up." Draco nodded at the advice and warning.

"I know that, but-"

"She likes you, you know that?" Harry blurted out. 'She's going to kill me later...I promised not to tell.' He got the reaction he wanted from Draco though.

"What?!" Draco thought he misheard the other. The possibility of Aine actually returning his affections were...well, surprising. "Are you sure of this, Harry? This isn't one of your half-cooked schemes is it?"

"I assure you, it isn't." Both teens turned to the tenor voice behind them, both sets of eyes wide in amazement. Snape stood behind them, arms crossed. "Aine's affections for you, Draco, are indeed factual. If you wish to court my child, you have my blessings. But be forewarned: cause her any undue stress or tears, and you'll rue the day you have done so. Not by my hands, of course."

Draco nodded softly, knowing what the professor meant. "Aine's anger can rival Voldermort's any day...she even gives you a run for your money, Sev..." Snape merely smirked at the compliment.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, and everywhere, Draco.
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