There's a fine line between love and hate, and Birdie is walking a tightrope between the two.
Hope Phoenix Black grew up with only her mother, Genevieve. Once she returns to Hogwarts for her 4th year, she discovers that her father has escaped from...
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Hope couldn't help but stare at her parents across the table, a soft smile lingering on her lips. She'd never seen her mother so happy. Genevieve threw her head back as she laughed at something Sirius whispered into her ear. The two's hands staying intertwined, never without one another's touch.
Remus sent Hope a wink even though the subject matter of conversation was deadly serious.
"Are we sure Hope should be here for this?" Mr. Weasley asked nervously since his own children were not allowed in the meeting.
"My daughter has the right to be. And we are allowing it." Sirius responded authoritatively before his eyes were caught by another's, a small smile pulling on his lips. Hope turned to see Harry standing in the doorway, excitement in his green eyes.
Before anyone could speak to him, Mrs. Weasley quickly shut the door. Hope bit her bottom lip.
"I'm going to go see him, dad. Fill me in later?" Hope asked softly as she stood from the table.
"'Aye, aye, Birdie." Sirius grinned. Hope quickly exited the kitchen and embraced Harry as tightly as she could.
"Come on, let's go upstairs." Hope muttered, pulling her cousin up the dimly lit stairs.
"Will you tell me what's going on in there?" Harry asked as his arm nearly fell out of its socket.
"'Course. But later." Hope responded once they reached a door which Harry opened hesitantly to be enveloped in a surprise embrace by Hermione.
"We've heard about the dementor attack. You must tell us everything." Hermione demanded anxiously as she released Harry.
"Let the man breathe, Hermione." Ron scoffed. Hermione acted as if she heard nothing and continued asking about Harry and the hearing at the Ministry.
Hope's mind traveled to someone she'd missed more than she'd convey outwardly. Draco Malloy.
After she'd ended things between them she'd felt regret. She hadn't heard a word from him. No letters. Nothing. It was like he fell off the face of the Earth.
She worried about him often. She knew how his father was. His whole family, actually.
Her index finger absentmindedly traveled to her bottom lip, remembering their stolen kisses. Their secret.
She honestly could not wait to see him again.
~
Hope sat with the twins on the Hogwarts Express. She sat nearest the corridor in the hopes of seeing Draco.
"Nix!" Feed in George exclaimed in unison, causing Hope to pull away from the window.
"What?" Hope questioned somewhat irritated.
"You haven't said a word in five minutes." George said.
"That's a new record!" Fred joked with a lopsided smile. Hope rolled her eyes.
"Sorry. I've just got a lot on my mind, lads." Hope muttered with a sigh.
"What's wrong?" The boys asked worriedly.
Hope bit her bottom lip. She wanted to tell them everything. They were her best mates. But, how would they respond? Would they get angry with her? She couldn't imagine a scenario where they wouldn't.
"I'm not ready to talk about it just yet."
The boys glanced at one another but understood, not pressing further. They may be morons at times, but they understood Hope and that often times, she needed space to process things.
Just as the cabin went silent, Hope caught a glimpse of striking blonde hair. Hope quickly stood and muttered a "be right back" to the boys as she exited into the corridor.
She quickly grabbed Draco, pulling him into a nearby, empty cabin and muttering a cloaking spell to conceal them.
"Bloody hell!" Draco exclaimed angrily as he adjusted his black overcoat back into place. His blue eyes softening upon seeing Hope.
The day she ended everything came flooding back. And how awful he felt about leaving her there alone.
"What do you want, Hope?" He asked in a monotone voice.
Hope took in a sharp breath. What did she want?
She wanted Cedric alive. She wanted her father to be able to be seen with her in public. She wanted Harry to be free from the hold Voldemort had on him. She wanted her aunt and uncle in her life.
"You." She breathed.
Draco licked his bottom lip before quickly closing the space between them. Their lips collided hungrily as Draco caressed Hope's face. Hope's fingers ran from his chest into his hair, tugging on it gently and earning a soft moan from Draco.
The two pulled away somewhat breathlessly. Draco lifted Hope's chin so that their eyes met.
"You have me."
Hope bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling. "I should go." She whispered.
"Meet me tonight."
"Definitely."
As Hope exited the compartment, a smile tugged on Draco's lips. A genuine smile.
A/N- ITS BEEN SO LONG!!! this is kind of a filler chapter in all honesty since i'm getting back into the story. hope is still hurt over cedrics death but she's surviving. she and draco seem stable now but is draco ever really stable? we shall see. much love! xxx
