Lucky

In a Heartbeat

           Spring seemed to come early that year, February bringing bright sunshine and frequent, delicate showers. Daffodils and crocuses were springing up around the grounds, surrounded by vibrant green grass, and light had begun to filter through the window of the dorms a little earlier each day.

        One such February morning, Morgana was woken much earlier than she would have liked to have been by bright golden light trickling through the thin curtains. With a huge yawn, she dragged herself up and went for a shower before dressing and going to the library to finish up some work.

     She had scarcely opened her Transfiguration textbook when the chair next to her slid out from under the desk and Calvin Avery sank into it. "I thought I was the only one up this early," he grinned, and Morgana laughed.

       "It's nice and quiet at this time of the morning," she shrugged. "I wasn't expecting company. But I'm actually glad I'm not alone. Sometimes it's too quiet, do you know what I mean?"

         Calvin nodded and took out his books. "What's on your mind?" He asked her suddenly.

         Morgana looked up in surprise. "What? Nothing."

          Calvin smirked. "Morgana, there has to be something going on for you to be in the library at half past six on a Saturday morning?"

         "Is that what time it is?" She gasped. "I thought it was later. And there's nothing wrong, I just woke up early and thought I should come and do some Transfiguration theory when it's quiet."

Calvin nodded, and they both got on with their work in silence for awhile. Eventually, Morgana glanced up, unable to hold herself back. "Calvin?" She inquired. "Be honest - has Abraxas said anything? Like.. about me?"

"How do you mean?"

Morgana sighed. "Well, it's just that we haven't spoken in ages. He's been avoiding me like the dragonpox for the last couple of weeks and I'm not sure why."

Calvin closed his textbook with a small groan and shot Morgana a sympathetic smile. "Look, I know what's going on, but it's up to him to tell you. And I think there's a fair chance he might. Morgana, you do know what today is, don't you?"

She nodded. "Yeah, it's Hogsmeade weekend. So?"

The Slytherin boy laughed at her. "It's the fourteenth of February, Morgana. It's Valentines Day."

Morgana's shoulders sank and she fell forward onto her books. "Help," she murmured into the pages.

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            That evening at about six o'clock, Morgana met Abraxas at the Three Broomsticks for dinner. The atmosphere of the little pub seemed even cosier that usual, with candles flickering on every table and a large bouquet of roses on the counter - but Morgana felt slightly chilly as she sat down across from Abraxas at the corner table.

           His grey eyes were downcast, and he looked up as she sat down, quickly standing up to greet her, never forgetting his etiquette. Morgana smiled gently at him as she shook off her leather jacket and hung it over the back of her chair.

           "'Morgana," Abraxas began, breathing heavily, as she smiled back at him. "There's something I'd like to tell you."

Morgana nodded slowly, a concerned expression on her face as Abraxas took a deep breath and launched into his story.

           "Morgana, my Uncle Lucius is encouraging me to develop a relationship with you. He's determined that we get together, thinks it's the only other way to get his hands on your money. But Lestrange found out about this plot, and obviously he was really angry, and then decided he could work this idea to suit himself. Basically, he wants us to get together and continue the line, and then he can kill us and get our fortune and stuff, and I don't really know Morgana but all I know is you're in danger." He reached over the table and took her hand. "And I can't let anything bad happen to you."