Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Fooling Fate sequel to Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 44179 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That lucky duck JK Rowling does. I don't make any money from this fanfic. I just play with her toys and put them back in relatively good condition.

Chapter List
- 27
- 28
- 29
Hermione sat down at her desk and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She had one hell of a headache and another class to go before she could retire to her room for the night. At least she had a short break at the moment. The last few days had been entirely too stressful and she was hard pressed not to crawl under her desk and hide. It had been almost a week since their trip to Khrone’s and tensions were running high.

Rhapsody actually beat Cadence out at being meek. As the days wore on, she looked more pale and drawn, slept less, and drifted off more. Of course, Aiden draining her Monday hadn’t helped in the slightest. Aiden noticed this too and was codling her much more than normal, much to Rhapsody’s annoyance.

The rest of the children were on edge as well. They watched Cadence and Rhapsody like hawks, nagging them to eat and slipping them potions so they could sleep. It was just the night before Hermione had caught Zach and Nate zipping down the hallway with a contraband cheer potion. Seeing the state that Cadence and Rhapsody were in when they answered the door, she decided to let it slide.

Whatever had the twins in such a state, it was affecting Melody too. More than once, Severus had hit her with a stinging hex to get her attention. He’d even tried to make her drink some blood because she was looking wan but she’d refused. Severus had promptly scooped her up fireman style and threw her in his rooms where he tied her up and made her drink from him directly. She wasn’t completely better, but she could at least keep her eyes open after that.

To top everything off, relations with the children’s mates had come to an almost standstill. Hermione, Draco, and Severus had tried to engage them in conversation, but they weren’t really the ones the mates needed to talk to. The one good thing though was that their mates had realized something was terribly wrong and started covering for them in class. They had leant their notes, offered to study with them, and even taken a few demerits for them as well. It was promising… if only the children could snap out of it.

Hermione knew why they were so distraught, though. It was Friday. Philippe had been bitten early Sunday morning and it was almost time for him to wake up. No one knew how he was going to react to his turning since he couldn’t exactly converse with anyone. Harmony had been completely silent on the issue. Celeste was so worried about her that she’d actually stunned her and had Alex start a few IVs to make sure she got her nutrients.

The younger rescue children had already been sent to their new adoptive parents. Little Addie Mae fell in love with Narcissa at first sight and begged Demitri to show her his teeth. She had them both wrapped around her finger and they agreed to come back every weekend so she could see Aiden. Timmy was going to stay with Remus due to his wolfy nature but he attached himself to Sable immediately. Luna breezily told them she’d return him for his spell casting and scooped him up, taking a few of the others with her.

The oldest four rescues weren’t healed yet but there was no place for them to stay when Philippe woke up. It was much too dangerous for them to remain at the house and after much debate, it was decided that they would go ahead and be enrolled in school. She and Draco would look after their healing and the children agreed to protect them at all costs. The only one who protested was Jonah…yet again. The boy had quickly become a menace, which Harmony had already foreseen. No one could quite blame him for his complete lack of trust, but his blatant sexism was going to drive Serena to kill him before they ever got together.

A knock on the door startled her. She’d been deep in thought and hadn’t heard approaching footsteps. She sighed and opened her door with a flick of her wand.

“Hey,” Rhapsody’s weak voice greeted her. She looked like a scared rabbit as she darted in the class and began warding it tighter than a drum.

“Hiding from someone?” Hermione asked in amusement.

“Yes,” Rhapsody sighed and made her way over to the desk. “They are driving me barmy.”

Hermione managed a small smile. “They’re all worried about you.”

Rhapsody sighed again. “I know. Really I do. But I HATE it when people fawn over me. Aiden’s the only one who seems to remember this and even he is getting on my nerves.”

“Well, in his defense, he was worried about you after your little tryst outside.”

“Right.” Rhapsody colored a bit. “I guess he would be…but all my blood is back.”

“He’s just like his father,” Hermione said and smiled at the memories. “Severus was horrified when he had to drink my blood…and worse when he had to take so much from Ginny. Just let him know that it isn’t the blood that’s bothering you.”

“You see, this is why I came to you,” Rhapsody said in exasperation. “You know damn well why I’m this way and you won’t push.”

Hermione grinned. “Yes well, the adult me is much better than the teenager me.”

“Ah yes, the pushy bookworm,” Rhapsody said with a smile. “You still had good intuition back then. Anyway, I brought this for you.”

Hermione smiled in thanks when Rhapsody set down a bottle of headache potion. It was her special blend, designed to cut the headache without the strange effects that the pain killers always had on her. She gulped it down greedily and moaned in relief when her head cleared.

“You need to fuck him, you know,” Rhapsody said.

“I beg your pardon?” Hermione said with wide eyes.

“You two are both suffering,” Rhapsody said knowingly. “You’re both healed. Stop holding back.”

“You know very well why we are,” Hermione grumbled, not at all happy to be discussing this with the omniscient teen.

“What if I said I could help?” Rhapsody said, her eyes taking on a lively gleam for the first time since their mission.

“Oh?” Hermione leaned a little closer. She felt Draco’s interest peak in her mind as well.

“Well,” Rhapsody hedged and shifted uneasily. “I’d like to play Slytherin with you.”

“Oh good,” Hermione said dryly. “Because I don’t get enough of that from Draco.”

Rhapsody giggled but sobered quickly. “I’m serious. I want to make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?”

“I…want to tell you what I’m planning, what I’ve seen… but you can’t tell anyone.”

“Well I think that’s null in void, isn’t it?” Hermione asked with a furrowed brow.

“Don’t patronize me,” Rhapsody growled. “I know bloody well that I’ll be telling the both of you. I just… I need you two to help most of all… but no one else can know.”

“Rhap, this sounds dangerous.”

“Oh, it is. But I can’t say anything until I have your promise.”

Hermione quirked an eyebrow. “And you can’t see it yourself?”

Rhapsody sighed. “Look, just make me feel better alright? And before you ask, yes, Melody knows. Mom, on the other hand, does not. She’s shut herself off.”

“Which is why Melody looks like death warmed over,” Hermione said knowingly and acknowledged Rhapsody’s nod. She felt Draco’s acceptance before she spoke. “Okay Rhap. We’ll remain silent on the issue…against our better judgment.”

“Okay,” Rhapsody said, her voice trembling. “Before we went to the Ranch on Monday, Aiden offered to take our gifts. I told him that no living person could withstand that. Then Zandra, in a moment of brilliance, reminded me that dad was…he was d-dead.”

Hermione nodded, feeling horrible. “Why did Aiden offer?”

Rhapsody rubbed her eyes. “Because I’ve been plagued with a hundred different scenarios of what dad will do when he wakes up. None of them are pleasant and all seemed to be equally likely to happen. Anyway, when Zandra said that, a hundred more possibilities popped up… but the outcome was more favorable.”

“What outcome?” Hermione asked, trying desperately to keep up.

Rhapsody shifted to put her feet up on the chair. She wrapped her arms around her knees and rocked back and forth. “Dad never wanted to be a vampire…but he didn’t want to die either. Each scenario shows him displeased. However, if what I’m planning doesn’t happen, most scenarios end the same way.”

“How?” Hermione nudged when Rhapsody fell silent for a while.

“Melody wasn’t kidding when she said she would end him herself if he asked it of her. It will end that way, sometimes with her willing, others when she’s not. Many of them show dad lashing out at mom and… well, you get the point.”

“So this is the part where you plan comes into play?”

Rhapsody nodded. “Dad’s been gifted with sight once before… when he found out mom was pregnant with us. You were there. He said he would never forget that day and he’s been determined to stick with mom ever since. But, it seems that with his turning, he’ll forget how beautiful your auras are. He’ll only be concerned with his new status.”

“I thought he was okay with vampires,” Hermione said in distress.

“He’s okay that others are vampires. He is vehemently against the idea of him becoming one. But, I can’t blame mom. It would destroy her if he was gone forever and in turn, that would destroy Melody, which would destroy Alex and so on and so forth. It causes a chain reaction.”

Hermione closed her eyes in pain. Yes, it would be devastating. The loss of Philippe would affect both Celeste and Harmony. If Harmony grieved herself to death, Melody would follow due to their gift. Melody being bonded to Alex would secure his fate. With Melody gone, Severus would fall into despair right along with his wife. Their lives would take a hit, causing deep sadness in her and Draco. Their depression would affect Harry and Ginny and so on and so forth, not to mention the children. It was a bleak outcome, one she’d only experienced during the war.

“So you see my dilemma,” Rhapsody broke in.

“Yes,” Hermione croaked.

“Well, most of my visions say that dad isn’t going to understand that. We’ll have to make him see.”

“Can’t Harmony give him her gift?”

“She could, but he won’t get the full affect. Her gift in his hands would block her from him…and her reaction to losing him. It would be an incomplete vision and he could misconstrue it.”

“But there isn’t a way around that is there?”

“You’ve forgotten,” Rhapsody said with a wry smile. “If they combine their powers, they can see their own future. They just can’t thwart it.”

“Right,” Hermione said. Dread filled her stomach. “You want to combine the powers.”

Rhapsody nodded jerkily and hugged her knees tighter to her chest. “Dad’s already dead…so it can’t kill him.”

“But…“

“But it could kill mom and Melody,” Rhapsody said softly. “The Fates are touchy about that kind of thing and dad isn’t marked by fate. He isn’t a phenom, pure, or fated. He’s just…my great dad. What will they be punished with if they give him their combined gifts, if only for a short while?”

“Do you think they would die?” Hermione asked.

“I don’t know,” Rhapsody said brokenly. “That’s the point. Is it worth the risk?”

“You want my opinion, don’t you?” Hermione asked.

“Yes,” Rhapsody sobbed. “You’re the only one who can take a step back and think about it logically.

“Draco is offended,” Hermione said, hearing her husband’s inner grumbling.

“I meant that as a package deal,” Rhapsody sniffed. “I mean it. You two together can pretty much figure out everything. So… I give it to you. Please…please help me.”

“I-we don’t want to give you the wrong answer,” Hermione croaked.

Rhapsody brushed a tear out of her eyes. “It isn’t a question of right or wrong. It’s a question of probabilities. Just study it and tell me your percentages. Let me figure out the rest.”

Hermione frowned. “Do you think you could give us a copy of the outcomes?”

Rhapsody nodded and smiled through her tears. “I was hoping you would say that.”

“Really?” Hermione asked incredulously.

“Believe it or not, this was a fifty-fifty shot,” Rhapsody laughed and then strode around the desk. She placed her hand on Hermione’s temple, willing the specific images to imprint.

Hermione gasped in shock and horror as hundreds of images flooded her brain. Most showed Philippe angry and demanding blood. They fractured from there. In some, Harmony had been drained and Melody simply fell down dead taking Alex with her. Severus would dispatch Philippe before he could continue. Celeste would never forgive him. Others showed Harmony running to the safety of Salem, Melody fighting Philippe with a silver chord. Most ended with Philippe as ash. It was horrifying.

A second stream flooded her mind now, all with different beginnings. However, these all showed Melody and Harmony combining their gifts in different places. In some, Philippe went mad. Others, he wept blood over the two fallen women. Still more showed him listening and coming to terms with it. There was one though, brighter than the rest, where he seemed to transform into light for a split second. It was an anomaly, strange, not in format with the others.

“Did you get all that?” Rhapsody panted and fell back on the desk.

“What was that last one?” Hermione asked, her eyes still unseeing as images whirred around in her head and filtered to Draco.

“I’m not sure,” Rhapsody croaked. “It comes when I look at the hunter.”

“Your mate?” Hermione asked in shock.

Rhapsody nodded. “We take the entire family and all the mates out to the blood circle to do this. It’s the only one.”

“So, a one in a million shot?” Hermione murmured.

“I guess so,” Rhapsody said. “Do you understand what was happening to him?”

Hermione shook her head. “I’m not sure. I’ve only seen that kind of light when Draco and I join to heal. None of the others can do it. Even Melody couldn’t.”

Rhapsody frowned. “Odd. It’s a fleeting little thing. Most of the time it isn’t even a possibility.”

“Which one do you want to happen?”

“Any one where he decides to stay and they survive.”

Hermione nodded and glanced at the clock. “We’ll study them all and let you know.”

“Thank you,” Rhapsody said in relief. “Oh, and to clear you for activities, I have a plan. You see, Whorple has monitoring spells everywhere for surges, even outside the castle. If we all manage to sneak out and cast at the exact same time, then we can generate enough power to throw the entire spell off balance. She won’t know where the power is coming from.”

“And you’d still have to sneak back into the castle.”

Rhapsody shrugged. “We can see around that old hag easy enough. She’s the only one who seems to care now…well, except for MacNeeley.”

“What is going on with him?” Hermione asked with a frown.

“Not sure,” Rhapsody said. “Emily has agreed to listening in but all she can hear is him grousing about how unfair everything is. We can try to push if you want. I’m sorry we haven’t been much into it lately.”

Hermione smiled and patted the girl on the hand. “I’m just glad you’re finally talking.”

Rhapsody nodded. “I’m sort of glad to have it off my chest.”

“Glad we could help. Now, class is starting in a few minutes.”

“I know, and Aiden is going to pace a whole through the damned floor if I don’t go out there soon.”

“Out of curiosity-“

“Oh, he’d remain there. It’s Zach and Nate who would break through the wards.”

“And what color would their hair end up?”

“You mean I have to leave it on their heads?” Rhapsody said with a scowl.

Hermione chuckled. “Go on then. Can’t have them running around bald, can we?”

“No, suppose not,” Rhapsody said sadly. “Thank you.”

“Anytime sweetheart.”

Rhapsody took her wards down and entered the hall. Aiden stood frozen in place, waiting for any sign that he was going to be hexed to ribbons. Rhapsody gave him a weak smile and he relaxed, enveloping her in his arms and walking with her to her next class. Hermione caught a glimpse of Zandra tailing them looking forlorn. She hoped that this whole love triangle, rectangle, whatever would clear up soon.

‘We have work to do love,’ Draco thought to her. ‘I’m not liking these odds at all.’

‘What other choice do we have?’

Draco chuckled bitterly. ‘We never have one.’

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“Are you sure about this?” Melody overheard Ara ask.

“No, but it’s gotta be worth a shot, right?” Scorpius answered.

“If we get expelled for this-“ Rose snapped.

“Then you can kick my arse from here to London and back, so help me Merlin,” Scorpius answered.

“She won’t have to,” Jacob broke in. “I’ll do it for her.”

“Oh come on,” Scorpius said. “You don’t think it will be worth it if it works?”

“I suppose,” Ara sighed.

Melody quirked an eyebrow. What were those four up to now? She watched as they passed her door. Well, whatever it was, they were hoping for a good outcome. Perhaps she should be nosy. She fingered the little necklace that summoned the four Malfoy’s to her and watched as they turned and came back to her room.

“You wanted to see us?” Scorpius asked softly.

Melody smirked. “Cut the shit Scorp. My hearing is spot on.”

“Oh, right,” Scorpius said as his face fell. “Well, we were going to start dancing in the dining hall.”

“Oh really?” Melody asked, surprised.

Scorpius nodded. “Rhap loves dancing and we… well, she’s got to get out of this funk. Besides, maybe that damned hunter will pull his head out of his arse and… you know.”

“So,” Melody drawled. “You thought you’d throw an impromptu dance party and simultaneously lift Rhap’s spirits while enticing her mate to take a second look.”

“Something like that,” Scorpius said with a shrug.

“And you believe it will work?”

Scorpius sighed. “It can’t hurt. I mean, Aiden can’t shag her out of it this time.”

Melody almost choked on her spit. “This time?”

“Ah shit,” Scorpius said with a cringe. “I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me.”

“Fatigue,” Melody said softly. “It makes us forget. Just be glad it wasn’t Philippe sitting here.”

“That’s just it isn’t it,” Scorpius said sadly. “He might not be sitting there…ever.”

Melody pursed her lips and nodded curtly. “Rhap’s dealing with a lot right now. Maybe you guys making asses of yourself is what she needs to smile. Just…be careful. I have no wish butt heads against Whorple today.”

“You look terrible,” Ara said softly. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Melody gave them a sad smile. “I’m not okay, but there’s nothing anyone can do about it now. Let’s have one more stress free night, shall we?”

Ara nodded. “Should we…ask our mates to dance?”

Melody could only stare at them dumbly.

“We aren’t stupid you know,” Jacob chided. “You brought six specific students out with us that night in the clearing and placed them strategically. You pulled strings to get Hugo and Annabel to come to school with us this year. You’ve placed a very important emphasis on Emily’s head. Do you honestly think we’re blind?”

Melody bit back a smile. “No, of course not. But for the record, I never told you a damned thing.”

“Agreed,” Rose said softly. “But we had a question.”

“I see,” Melody said slowly and motioned for her to ask it.

“We’re balanced. How does that work?”

Melody laughed. “Oh sweetheart, if I knew the answer to that, I’d tell you.”

“Truthfully?” Scorpius asked with a raised eyebrow.

“On my familiar Izzy’s grave, I honestly haven’t got a clue how you are supposed to work with your other half.”

“What in the fuck are we supposed to do then?” Ara asked hotly.

Melody shrugged. “What we all did when we first discovered ourselves, stumble through it.”

“Sounds messy,” Rose said with a wrinkled nose.

Melody laughed harder than she had in a long time. “Oh sweetheart, sometimes getting messy is the best part.”

“Could have done without that visual,” Scorpius muttered.

“Oh you,” Melody said, drying her tears of mirth. “Go on then. Have your dance party. I’ll dismantle the warning wards myself. But don’t you dare bring my name into it.”

“Aye, aye captain!” Scorpius saluted her and ushered his siblings out.

Well, dinner was certainly going to be interesting, if nothing else.

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“This is not going to go well,” Rhapsody hissed when the four Malfoy’s sat down for dinner.

“Well,” Ara said slowly. “How well is it not going to go?”

“We’ll be expelled.”

“How about we cut to the chase, hm?” Zach asked as he plopped down beside her. “Exactly which thing we do will lead us to getting off for this?”

Rhapsody groaned and laid her head on the table. “Would you believe none of them?”

“Not for a moment,” Nate said, taking pity on her and rubbing her shoulders. “You need this Rhap.”

“What I need is for everyone to leave me the fuck alone.”

“And leave you to your misery?” Zach asked. “I think not.”

“You might as wall capitulate,” Aiden said softly. “You know they aren’t going to let up.”

“I know,” Rhapsody moaned. “Do you have any idea how deep you guys are going to get us in?”

“Not unless you tell us,” Serena said dryly. She just didn’t have the heart to pick on Rhapsody in her current condition.

Rhapsody banged her head on the table a few times. “Alright, alright, alright. Whorple needs a… distraction… one that involves MacNeeley, because if they are here when this goes down, we’re all out.”

“Name of distraction, if you’d please,” James said with a disturbing glint in his eyes.

Rhapsody shook her head, her hair cascading over the table as she did so. “You guys are insufferable.”

“Well, now you know my dad was right,” Aiden said gently, causing the entire table to burst out in giggles.

“You don’t happen to have a portable swamp or some Dragon shaped fireworks on you do you?” Rhapsody asked suddenly.

“As a matter of fact,” Albus spoke up and produced a small box with a rip cord. He grinned and set it in the middle of the table so everyone could read it.

Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes proudly presents: The Umbridge Special. Guaranteed to brighten any testing day. Simply pull the cord and run.

“The Umbridge special?” Zandra asked.

“Delores Umbridge,” Aiden began, “was a horrible woman who loved kittens, fuzzy pink sweaters, and torturing children with blood quills. She was a power hungry maniac and sought to gain control of Hogwarts during Draco’s fifth year. She loathed half-breeds, those with non-human blood that is, and those with less than pure blood. She didn’t bat an eyelash at using veritiserum or unforgivables.

“At the end of the year, Harry and Hermione led her deep into the forest where she was attacked by a band of Centaurs. Never was quite the same after that. A year and a half later, she was back at the Ministry, sentencing muggleborns. Draco and Hermione had to face her again…and if she were still sane, she’d probably still be a tyrant.”

Zandra nodded, taking the story in. “So…where does the Umbridge special come in?”

“Well,” Aiden drawled. “Hugo’s uncles were quite fed up with her and decided they weren’t returning for their 7^th year. They released a slew of Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-bangs and a Portable Swamp on school grounds. None of the other teachers claimed to know how to stop them. In fact, Flitwick roped part of that swamp off for the longest. This box contains everything they used that day.”

“Blimey,” Zandra breathed. “That’s a distraction alright.”

James chuckled. “And I know just the guy to deliver it. If you’ll excuse me.”

“He’s going to get caught!” Zandra hissed.

“Not with the artifact he nicked off his dad,” Scorpius said with a chuckle.

“Are you sure?” Zandra asked worriedly.

Scorpius grinned wolfishly. “Does devil’s snare hate sunlight?”

The children settled down and focused on eating their meal. They were quite early, which they were happy for. It gave them plenty of time to eat before they carried out their plot. At least they wouldn’t get kicked out of the hall hungry, not that it would faze them much. They knew how to sneak out undetected.

James slipped in about ten minutes later, a smug grin on his face. At their questioning glances, he winked and settled down with a plate. “Fifteen,” he muttered softly and dug in.

“Are you sure this is wise?” Severus asked tersely as he ate.

Melody chuckled. “Of course it isn’t…but it will be entertaining.”

“She needs the distraction,” Hermione said absentmindedly. Her mind was still flicking over the images Rhapsody had sent her. If ever a child needed a distraction from life, it was that one.

“Agreed,” Draco said quietly. He too was concentrating on the images Rhapsody had sent them. The probability of a good outcome was slim but the last vision, the one of Philippe filled with light was intriguing.

Melody stared at them for a few minutes before it dawned on her. “Rhap said something.”

“No,” they both replied at the same time.

Melody nodded. “I see.”

She did see of course, she saw a bald faced lie but she wasn’t going to push. It was obvious that Rhap had sworn them to secrecy. She just hoped that whatever her niece charged them with, they helped ease her mind. She knew hers was already shot. Dinner continued on in silence for fifteen minutes when a commotion rang out from the grounds. Everyone except their children jumped and made way for the door. Whorple cast a sonorous.

“Everyone will please stay in the hall while I check this out.”

The children sat back down and watched as Whorple waddled out looking like an angry elephant seal with MacNeeley hot on her heels. When the door to the hall shut, James grinned and snapped his fingers. Those with enhanced hearing could detect the sound of water pooling around.

“Right outside the door?” Cadence asked in disbelief.

“It’s rather brilliant,” Annabel said softly and blushed when James turned his grin on her. “She can’t get back in for a while. We’ll have some time.”

“Once again, I’ve bitten my own ass,” Rhapsody groused.

“Oh come on,” Scorpius teased. “It isn’t that bad.”

“She just doesn’t like to be blind,” Serena jabbed.

Aiden looked at her disapprovingly. “And if it was your fate?”

Serena seemed to visibly wilt and then nodded. “Shall I start then?”

“No, I think little A should,” Zach said with an evil grin.

Aiden gave him a glower that could rival his dad’s.

“There isn’t anything about Aiden that’s little,” Rhapsody said with a snort. Then she turned blood red, realizing the implications of what she just said. Everyone laughed…except Zandra. If Rhapsody had seen it right, the girl had actually let her eyes flick over him and more pointedly, his crotch, before she turned away, her cheeks pink. It was the most heartening thing Rhapsody had seen from the girl so far.

“I’ll start,” Scorpius said, finally managing to get ahold of himself. “I’ll need a partner though. Cadence, would you do me the honor?”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” Cadence whispered, ducking her head down and trying to make herself as small as possible.

“Why not?” James asked angrily.

“You know why,” Cadence growled and ducked down further.

“You don’t want people to know how absolutely beautiful you are?” James asked softly.

Cadence blushed prettily but shook her head and whispered. “I’m scared.”

“Well, I’ve got enough bollocks for the both of us,” Scorpius claimed loudly making everyone burst out laughing, even Cadence. It seemed to break the hold the chair had on Cadence’s rear end and she finally agreed, holding her hand out so Scorpius could yank her up and into his arms.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Scorpius proudly announced loud enough to make the entire hall turn towards him. “Might I present Cadence Belrose, the finest rumba dancer there ever was. Maestro?”

Zach smirked and whipped out a CD player from under the table, smacking it with his wand to turn it on. At the same time, Nate cleared all their dishes. Scorpius picked Cadence up and set her on the table, much to her annoyance. The music had a heavy bass and was semi-slow, perfect for showing off.

“Scorp, I’m shit at this,” Cadence hissed.

“No you aren’t,” Scorpius snorted. “Just follow my lead and watch your mate drool.”

Scorpius dipped Cadence until her head almost touched the table. He ran his hand all the way down her side before bringing her up sensuously, making sure to plant his other hand on her hip so she’d sway it slightly. He drew her tight to his chest, rolling his hips with hers before stepping backwards and drawing her to the side again. He spun her slowly, snapping her back to his front and grinding against her slightly.

The children started whistling and cat calling, making Cadence blush furiously. To her credit, she never faltered, keeping up with Scorpius and even starting to put some snap into her moves. By about halfway through the song, Cadence seemed to forget that she was in front of an audience. She dipped, swayed, and shimmied with Scorpius, finally cracking a smile when he wriggled his eyebrows at her.

Rhapsody sighed in happiness. It was good to see her sister finally let go and be herself in public, even if Scorpius was making an ass of himself to do so. She would bet galleons that Lizzy was starting to see the perks of Scorpius as well. It was about time. Now if she could just figure out how to get everyone else paired up without their knowing it, not that they didn’t expect it.

“Quit thinking,” Aiden snapped.

“Sorry,” Rhapsody groused. “I can’t really help it you know.”

“Well, concentrate on her match then. Which one was he?”

“Matt,” Rhapsody sighed. “The big one currently trying to hide his very noticeable reaction.”

Aiden looked over and smirked as he watched the half-giant trying to subtly shift his body, no doubt trying to relieve an uncomfortable pressure in his trousers. His gaze landed on the hunter next to him and he frowned. The hunter had a chip on his shoulder, if that frown was any indication. He wondered what was going through his mind and had a crazy urge to ask Emily. After all, Rhap couldn’t tell. As if summoned from his very thoughts, which was quite possible, Emily appeared beside him.

“He’s at war with himself.”

“Really?” Aiden asked, not even bothering to ask how she knew.

Emily nodded. “His family has hunted your kind for centuries, and Rhap loves you.”

“And his feeling for Rhap?” Aiden asked softly.

Emily smiled. “He’s not sure. At first, he was sure she was an overbearing snob, but after her mood this last week, he’s undecided. He is angry that he doesn’t know why her personality shifted so suddenly and aggravated because that intrigues him. He’s been taught not to associate with your kind.”

“Rhap is not like me,” Aiden said strongly.

“I know,” Emily said simply. “But in his family, associating is just as bad.”

“So why agree to keep our secrets?” Aiden asked in confusion.

Emily smiled. “The same reason Matt can’t keep those very erotic images out of his brain.”

“He wants to shag us?”

Emily chuckled. “No. Well, her yes, but no. You guys are like a drug without all the nasty side effects. Fun, strong, powerful, and fiercely protective, you guys attract us like flies.”

“And yet, we are public enemy number one,” Aiden pointed out.

Emily hummed. “Not to those who were meant to be.”

Aiden’s head snapped to the side, looking Emily in the face fully and quite afraid of what she’d pull out of his head.

Emily merely smiled for a moment. “I’m in, was since the first day I heard your dad’s thoughts.”

“Might I ask why?” Aiden asked in awe.

“Because… you all accepted me for what I was the second you figured me out. No one has ever done that. Even Martin is nervous around me sometimes. You guys, it’s old hat and like just a moment ago, you completely forgot the full extent of my abilities. I want that so much.”

“Well, you definitely have it,” Aiden said with a soft smile. He really liked Emily. She was perfect for Jacob. His eyes widened, realizing what he just thought.

Emily blushed scarlet, staring straight at the table. “Y-y-you think so?”

Aiden chuckled. “Most definitely.”

“I-I wouldn’t be… um… against it.”

Aiden nodded, trying desperately not to laugh out loud. “Tell you what, tell me what is going through the teacher’s minds, and I’ll make sure it happens right after.”

“Oh!” Emily cried in shock. “Well, um, okay. Your dad and Professor Bach are both enjoying the show thoroughly. The Malfoys are… distracted, but I don’t know why. They’re really good at blocking. They’re still happy for Cadence though. Let’s see, those who side with us are cheering. Those who are neutral are intrigued and outraged at the same time, but they are afraid to go against your family. After all, Professor Bach kicked your dad’s ass and he wasn’t a slouch. The ones against it…too worried to speak out.”

“So we’re ruling with fear,” Aiden said softly. “It’s an interesting position to be in.”

Emily nodded. “A double edged sword.”

“And hard to negotiate,” Zandra piped in, blushing at her boldness. “Sorry. My mouth lately.”

Emily laughed. “You’ll get a handle on it after they put you back to rights. I think it’s a side effect of your condition. Anyway, you are right. It’s hard to convince someone who is terrified of you.”

“Spoken like a wise old man,” Rhapsody said with a sigh. “Well Aiden, you promised the girl.”

“That I did,” Aiden said. “Miss Creevey, would you do me the honor of having this dance?”

“Oh but, I can’t rumba.”

“Nonsense,” Aiden chided. “Anyone can do it. Just follow my lead. It’s a simple box step.”

Emily shakily took his hand and let him pull her onto the table with him. He placed her hand on his chest since their height difference was so drastic and placed his hand gently on her waist. He took her other hand in his and led her slowly back, muttering which foot to move so she could catch on. She stumbled a few times but quickly caught on, smiling when she managed to get it without stepping on his toes.

“Miss Creevey, I believe you are a natural,” Aiden complemented her.

“Why Mr. Snape,” Emily giggled. “I have a most excellent teacher.”

“Why thank you,” Aiden said with a grin. “But as excellent as you no doubt think I am, I believe I promised you something. Jacob!”

“Yeah?” Jacob asked softly.

“I have something to attend to and Miss Creevey here needs a partner. Do you mind?”

“Oh! Yes.” Jacob jumped and scrambled onto the table, smoothly cutting in and dancing slowly to the beat.

“Aww,” Rhapsody and Zandra sighed when Aiden had seated himself again.

“They’re so cute,” Zandra added.

Rhapsody nodded. “And Jacob is still quite a bit taller.”

“All that Malfoy in him,” Aiden said with a smirk.

“It suits him,” Zandra said, her head cocked to the side in contemplation.

“That it does,” Rhapsody sighed.

“Now then,” Zach broke in. “I believe we have a party to kick off.”

Rhapsody groaned.

“None of that,” Zach chided. “You’re going to smile before this day is over or I will personally rob you of your sleep…and possibly your hair.”

“You would too,” Rhapsody said darkly.

“Advantage of being a know-it-all,” Zach said smugly. “She can tell I’m not bluffing.”

“But she can also tell when you are,” Zandra said.

“A most excellent point,” Zach said with a grin. “Which is why I quit bluffing a very long time ago.”

“So how are we going to kick this party off?” Zandra asked.

“I’m so very glad you asked, Miss Belrose,” Zach said with a wink. “Not so little A is going to wrestle Rhapsody into dancing her most favorite dance in the whole wide world.”

“Oh good,” Aiden said dryly. “A new nickname.”

“It suits better,” Rhapsody grumbled.

Zach burst out laughing. “Excellent timing as always, Rhap. Now for your announcement.” He sprang up onto the table and cut the music off with a flick of his wand. “And now, might I present Rhapsody performing the sensual salsa with her partner, not so little A.”

“I’ll kill him,” Aiden seethed.

Rhapsody snorted, trying hard not to crack a smile. “Well, now the whole school knows.”

“And I’ll still kill him,” Aiden vowed, taking her hand and pulling her onto the table with him.

Zach merely laughed and jumped off the table, flicking his wand to turn it to a fast salsa. Aiden brought Rhapsody to him, leading her off quickly, not giving her time to protest. She was stiff and frowning, going through the motions but not really enjoying it.

“Stop thinking,” Aiden growled.

“I can’t help it!” Rhapsody snapped.

“Don’t make me fuck you in front of God and everybody.”

Rhapsody’s eyes went wide in shock. “You-you aren’t kidding.”

“No I’m not,” Aiden said firmly. “I know you’re under a tremendous amount of pressure, but you’re going to go mad if you don’t let it go…just for now.”

Aiden smiled softly when she finally relaxed in his arms. Her turns got sharper, her footwork cleaner. At one point, he saw Nate and Zach rush to opposite sides of the table to keep it from tipping over from their shifting weight. He decided it was time to take it up a notch. He picked Rhapsody up and jumped off the table, dragging her over to an empty space in between tables and spinning her furiously before dipping her.

She broke then, laughing at his silliness. She couldn’t help it. Aiden always found a way to make her feel better. Her laugh was a signal to the rest of the family, who paired up and started dancing. They pulled random students up with them, clearing their plates and moving tables out of the way to make more space.

Teachers were shocked, well, not all the teachers, but the ones who weren’t expecting it. They started to protest but then ended up laughing as a group of first years started clogging. In fact, the only ones who weren’t enjoying themselves in the least were the members of the pure phenoms and Mary Alice Gregory’s gang. They looked mad enough to spit blood but none of the others seemed to notice.

“Isn’t this better?” Aiden asked, dipping Rhap low and making her giggle with a little poke to the side.

“Okay, okay, it’s better. I’ll admit…but I’m still not happy.”

“We weren’t expecting you to be all sunshine and rainbows Joy. We just wanted you to remember who you were.”

Rhapsody nodded and kissed his cheek. “Thank you…and everyone else. I guess I needed this.”

“Glad you realized it!” Nate called and spun Anastasia around, smiling when she blushed prettily.

Zandra laughed at everyone’s antics as she swayed to the beat with Serena by the wall. She had turned Albus down for a dance, preferring to watch rather than participate. She was a horrible dancer as her partner for the Yule ball could attest. Poor guy had to go to the hospital wing after the night was over.

“So why are you two over here?”

Zandra jumped into Serena’s arms, shaking like a leaf. Serena dutifully stepped in front of her to face her attacker, only to smirk. “Deven Hershell, why are you scaring my friend senseless?”

The hunter’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.”

Zandra nodded, holding her rapidly beating heart. “It’s okay. I’m just… jumpy I guess.”

Deven frowned. “I would think someone of your… well, like you, would be able to sense me approaching.”

“Beg pardon?” Zandra asked, stricken.

“He’s a hunter,” Serena said lowly, not bothering to hide her growl. “He can smell you.”

“Oh,” Zandra said sadly.

“Now wait just a minute,” Deven said heatedly. “I don’t have anything against you… either of you actually.”

Serena snorted. “I sincerely doubt that. However, if you’d like to speak with Zandra, I’ll take the dance floor with Albus. But don’t, for one second, think that we wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you…hunter.”

It was Deven’s turn to snort. “Honestly, haven’t I proven myself yet?”

“You’ve proven that you can guard,” Serena said coolly. “Not that you won’t say something utterly stupid.” With that last barb, she spun and grabbed Albus, pulling him onto the floor to dance.

“Real charmer that one,” Deven said darkly.

Zandra chuckled. “She’s hard to read, but she means well. She’s quite like her dad in that.”

“So I’ve noticed,” Deven said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, I really was just curious. Why are you over here when the family is all out there?”

“It isn’t for lack of trying. I just didn’t want to injure anyone.”

Deven chuckled. “I doubt you could put a dent in anyone other than a Potter, and they seem tough enough to take it.”

“You haven’t seen me dance,” Zandra said dryly.

“Well, humor me then,” Deven said, holding out his hand for her.

Zandra shook her hand. “Honestly, my last date had to go to the mediwitch.”

Deven raised an eyebrow, his hand still extended. “Well, lucky for you there are two Healers in attendance. Besides, I think you’ll find hunters just as durable as the object of your affections.”

“Excuse me?” Zandra asked affronted.

Deven pointed to his nose. “I have one hell of a sniffer. Hard not to smell the pheromones. Come on though, don’t make me hold my hand out all night. Dance with me.”

“Fine,” Zandra huffed. “But you asked for it.”

The hunter led her on the floor, taking care to place her hands correctly before leading her in a simple two step. She thanked her lucky stars that the music had slowed down to allow for it. She was sure she’d break something of his if it were anything like that salsa that Rhapsody and Aiden had danced earlier.

“You’re thinking about him,” Deven said softly.

Zandra huffed. “Fine, I admit it.”

Deven nodded. “So my question is, why are you not dancing with him?”

“Because he is dancing with Rhapsody,” Zandra said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“That he is,” Deven said slowly. “But his attention is on you.”

“No it isn’t,” Zandra scoffed. “He’s staring into Rhapsody’s eyes.”

“Because he’s talking to her,” Deven said with a frown.

“What?”

“They have a bond, much like you and whatever male that has scented you,” Deven pressed on. “Being a hunter, I can sense them, smell them if you will. Your walker and Rhapsody have a bond, forged at childhood. They love each other deeply, but I sense it isn’t the kind of love they are leading everyone to believe it is.”

“Why would they do that?” Zandra asked with a frown.

Deven shrugged. “I’ve been trying to figure it out myself. The walker is obviously over the moon for you.”

Zandra blushed. “He’s very nice and a very good friend.”

“He wants more,” Deven insisted and gave her a knowing look when she blushed deeply. “You have your own bond though and no doubt he can sense that. From the smell, it’s another male, a very insecure one. He is fighting his instincts though.”

“What do you mean?” Zandra choked out.

“If the walker is anything like his predecessor, every instinct he has is telling him to destroy your bond mate and take you for his own. However, I suspect that he cares much more for you than any instinct. So, he stays with her and waits for your bond to run its course.”

“Run its course?” Zandra asked.

Deven nodded. “You care very much for this other male, yes?”

Zandra looked stricken. Yes, she cared for Jonah, a lot. He’d kept her sane, became her family, her pack. She loved him. He made her feel safe, loved, and protected. She nodded after a while.

“I suppose I do.”

“Then that explains it,” Deven said softly. “The childhood bond between him and Rhapsody has already run its course but he is giving you a chance to explore yours.”

“What are you talking about?”

Deven smiled sadly. “You’ll never know your true feelings if you don’t explore them. He’s letting you decide.”

Zandra blinked back tears. “Why are you telling me this?”

Deven let out a very large breath. “Because I know how he feels.”

“What do you mean?”

Deven frowned. “Well, every instinct I have tells me to take the walker down and take the girl. However, I know very well that I can’t, not physically anyway.”

“Why haven’t you spoken to her then?” Zandra asked.

Deven sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“No it bloody well isn’t,” Zandra growled. “If you like her, then you should jolly well tell her.”

“She’s a… a...”

“A what?” Zandra snapped. “A nice girl? A saint perhaps?”

“A vampire loving vindictive bitch,” Deven barked back. “She’s always ordering the family around…or having her sister do it for her. It’s like she’s a one woman mafia. No one touches her. They’re all terrified of her…everyone but the walker.”

Zandra’s mouth hung open at his outburst.

“I know how that sounds,” Deven said harshly. “They were tense when they went home last weekend and I figured it was her making them that way. This last week…something changed. Something is wrong with her, very wrong. And instead of being relieved, they’re all so worried for her that they’re frantic. Hell, they staged this thing to cheer her up. I wonder if I had her pegged wrong.”

“Yes you did,” Zandra hissed. “Rhapsody is amazing. She’s special and I’m sorry you can’t see that. I’m sorry you can’t see what-“ She closed her mouth and shook her head.

Deven sighed. “What the walker sees in her? I’m not blind you know. He loves her…really loves her. But she still flinches sometimes when he touches her. And he holds back. He’s terrified of hurting her.”

“If you were him,” Zandra said slowly. “And you had to deal with the…special issues he does…wouldn’t you?”

Deven shrugged. “I suppose I would. I can’t imagine not being able to give someone your all though.”

Zandra sniffed. “I can.”

“You’re torn,” Deven said. “Can’t decide whether to give your heart to the male that you’ve bonded with or the one who has quite literally captured your heart.”

Zandra sighed and laid her head on Deven’s chest, noticing that he didn’t flinch when she did. “I love Jonah. I really do. But if I let myself dwell on it, I think I might be falling in love with Aiden too.”

Deven chuckled. “And therein lays the problem. Rhapsody is with him because he isn’t with you.”

“No,” Zandra snorted, not bothering to lift her head. “She’s with him because she’s terrified of you.”

Deven’s whole body froze up. “What?”

Zandra chuckled. “They don’t think I know…but my hearing is improving daily. She’s with him, not only because she wants to be, but because she’s hiding from the one person who has ever scared her.”

“Me,” Deven whispered.

Zandra nodded and drew back to look at his eyes. “She’s like any girl Deven. She doesn’t want her heart broken.”

“Holy fucking Merlin in a ball stretcher,” Rhapsody breathed as she finished listening in on Zandra and Deven through Aiden’s mind. “That girl is a…a…”

“Wonder,” Aiden breathed.

“Yes that,” Rhapsody agreed. “How in the fuck did she get so observant?”

“Who cares?” Aiden asked softly. “He’s into you.”

“And she’s into you,” Rhapsody pointed out.

Aiden nodded with a frown. “But she’s into him too.”

Rhapsody sighed and gave Aiden a hug. “She’s not destined for him Fire. Just have faith.”

“I have faith,” Aiden said softly. “In you.”

Rhapsody chuckled mirthlessly. “You shouldn’t.”

“Whatever you’re planning,” Aiden said, spinning them closer to Zandra and Deven, “I’m sure you’ll do the right thing no matter what. What I’m planning, on the other hand…”

“NO!” Rhapsody shrieked just as the music changed to a faster beat.

“Oh yeah,” Aiden said with a grin. “Time to put up or shut up, little Joy.”

Aiden spun her wildly, bumping into Deven on purpose. The hunter wasn’t braced for the impact and broke apart with Zandra. Aiden quickly pushed Rhapsody into his arms and swept Zandra away, laughing at the stricken look on Rhapsody’s face as he got out of hexing lines.

“She’s going to kill you,” Zandra said when they finally stopped moving.

Aiden shrugged. “She’ll thank me in the morning.”

“Or you’ll be a eunuch.”

Aiden shuddered. “Well, hopefully she’ll be too distracted to think about that.”

Zandra chuckled but then stopped. “How much did you hear?”

“Hear?” Aiden asked.

“Me and Deven. How much did you hear?”

Aiden furrowed his brows. “It’s hard to hear anything with all this racket.”

“How did you know he was into her?”

Aiden smiled. “I could smell it.”

“Oh,” Zandra said softly and then winced when she stepped on his foot. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m built to take it.”

Aiden grinned when she settled into the dance. He’s avoided a nasty pitfall, successfully gotten Rhapsody together with Deven, and had Zandra in his arms. Now if the weekend would just go as smoothly, things might not be so horrible after all.

AN: TADAAA! I got it in on time. Aren't you all proud of me. Enjoy the calm before the storm. Philippe has to wake up sometime. :| As always, thanks to everyone for you terrific reviews. I read them late at night when I'm trying to stay awake at work. You guys really are the best. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing and if you find any errors. Until next time... love you guys.
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Fooling Fate *sequel to Bound*

Fooling Fate sequel to Bound