Raven (Fred x oc)

90. The Sickly Dragon

On the last night of school before the break, I was unable to fall asleep, so I left my room through my office and began to make my way down to the kitchens before I heard two low, irritated voices arguing. The first, who I recognized as Snape, said, "You cannot afford to make mistakes, Draco, because if you are expelled-"

"I didn't have anything to do with it, all right?" the other voice, Draco, retorted.

"I hope you are telling the truth because it was both clumsy and foolish. Already you are suspected of having a hand in it," Snape retorted.

"Who suspects me?" Draco retorted. "For the last time, I didn't do it, okay? That Bell girl must've had an enemy no one knows about - don't look at me like that! I know what you're doing, I'm not stupid, but it won't work! I can stop you!"

I peered out at the scene, seeing Snape towering over a very pale and thin Draco. I couldn't help but frown as Snape remarked, "Ah, Aunt Bellatrix has been teaching you Occlumency, I see. What thoughts are you trying to conceal from your master, Draco?"

"I'm not trying to conceal anything from him," Draco retorted. "I just don't want you butting in!"

"So that is why you've been avoiding me this year," Snape drawled. "You have feared my interference? You realize that had anybody else failed to come to my office when I had told them repeatedly to be there, Draco-"

"So put me in detention!" Draco jeered. "Report me to Dumbledore!"

"Why, so you can spend more time with Madam Valerie?" Snape sneered. I paled. "You like being around your cousin, don't you? Someone who still sees potential in you. Someone who doesn't know how far gone you truly are."

"Shut up," Malfoy snapped.

"Listen to me," Snape ordered. "I am trying to help you. I swore to your mother I would protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow, Draco." Before I could hear more, I dashed away, feeling nauseous. I was a few corridors away when Draco himself stormed past me.

Trying to make myself look and sound normal, I looked at him with concern and asked, "Draco, are you alright?" He glanced back at me, jumping as if I had burned him. He tried to leave, but I called firmly, "Draco." He stopped, letting out a sigh as he turned to face me. Now that I could see him up close, I saw that not only had he paled, but there was also a greyish-green tinge to his skin and dark circles under his eyes.

"Draco, you look sick, are you alright?" I asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," he lied, trying to push past me.

"No, you're not," I countered worriedly. "You're as pale as a ghost and you look sickly. Have you been sleeping or eating at all?"

"Yes," he mumbled. I sighed.

"Draco, please, for your own sake, try and get some rest, okay? If worst comes to worst, you can always talk to Madam Pomfrey about some sleeping drafts." He nodded and left and I let him, staring after him with my brow furrowed. I went down to the kitchens and got some tea before heading back to my office.

......................................................................................

The following day, I journeyed back home to find that Kreacher had decorated for Christmas. Looking around, I couldn't help but smile as I said, "It's lovely, Kreacher. Thank you."

"Does Mistress want lunch?" Kreacher asked.

"Not right now," I replied. "I'm going to the Weasley's, but I will be back for dinner, all right?" Once I had dropped off my things, I apparated to the Burrow. "Hello," I called, hugging Fred and George. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Fred replied, kissing my cheek.

As we headed in the house, we heard Harry say, "Yeah, well, passing over Fred's left buttock-"

"I beg your pardon," Fred said as I snorted, trying to hold back my laughter as I tried to imagine what had possibly started this conversation. "Ah, look at this. They're using knives and everything. Bless them."

"I'll be seventeen in two and a bit month's time," Ron grumbled, "and then I'll be able to do it by magic!"

"But meanwhile," George said. "We can enjoy watching you demonstrate the correct use of a - whoops-a-daisy."

I shot him a glare as Ron accused, "You made me do that!" The knife had slipped and cut his thumb. "You wait, when I'm seventeen-"

"I'm sure you'll dazzle us all with hitherto unsuspected skills, Ronald," Fred yawned as I sat in his lap at the kitchen table.

"And speaking of hitherto unsuspected skills, Ronald," George said. "What is this we hear from Ginny about you and a young lady called - unless our information is faulty - Lavender Brown?"

"Mind your own business," Ron snapped.

"What a snappy retort," Fred teased. "I don't really know how you think of them. No, what we wanted to know was...how did it happen?"

"What'd you mean?" Ron retorted.

"Did she have an accident or something?" Fred asked.

"What?"

I hit the back of Fred's head, causing him to send me a small glare, but it quickly dissipated at my warning smile.

"Well, how did she receive such extensive brain damage?" George asked. "Careful now!" Ron had thrown his knife at George. I rolled my eyes, quickly changing the knife to a paper aeroplane.

"Ron!" Molly shouted. "Don't you ever let me see you throwing knives again!" Turning to our side of the room, she said, "Fred, George, I'm sorry dears, but Remus is arriving tonight, so Bill will have to squeeze in with you two."

"No problem," George replied.

"Then, as Charlie isn't coming home, that just leaves Harry and Ron in the attic and if Fleur shares with Ginny-"

"That'll make Ginny's Christmas," Fred muttered, causing me to laugh quietly.

"Everyone should be quite comfortable," Molly finished. "They'll have a bed at least."

"Molly, I have plenty of room," I said. "A few of the older ones who can apparate could stay with me and we could just go back and forth."

"Are you sure, dear?" Molly asked.

"Of course," I replied. "It's open to anyone that wants it. I've finished redecorating so it should be-"

"You redecorated?" Harry interrupted, sounding almost angry.

"Yes," I replied, confused as to the angry expression on his face. "Harry, it's my house, I can do what I want with it. Besides, Sirius hated that house. I'm sure he'd much rather it the way it is now." Turning back to Molly, I said, "Perhaps Remus could stay with me, at the very least."

"Very well," Molly replied, leaving the room.

"Is it just me or does she actually like me now?" I asked quietly to Fred. He chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my cheek.