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
- 31
- 32
- 33
Aiden kept to the shadows as he slunk out of the castle. It was times like this that he wished he could turn to shadows. Still, he was fast and made it outside in minutes, no one the wiser. He needed some time to think and a space where there weren’t a million eyes watching him. Since there weren’t abandoned classrooms or a Room of Requirement at Salem, outside was the next best thing.

He was glad that his brothers covered for him. Their personalities were a lot like Melody’s, easy going and all jokes, but like her, they sensed when someone needed space. It had been their idea for him to sneak out. Of course, that was after he’d snapped at half the dorm to leave him the fuck alone. So, they’d set off a smoke bomb to cover his tracks.

Now that the cool night air hit his face, he could finally breathe. The days had been unbearably long. Their new allies were understandably in a daze and they had to work double time to keep them from being conspicuous. Sanders was back in full force, MacNeeley was mad as a wet kneazle, and Whorple was on a rampage. Everywhere they turned, they were walking on pins and needles. He was thankful tomorrow was Friday. And still it was a walk in the park compared to what he was going through.

Having to see Jonah and Zandra together in a couple capacity was killing him. He couldn’t even beg for respite from Rhapsody, since Deven had moved in. Well, he was actually happy about that development. Rhapsody looked so much happier now. But it left him in the cold, so to speak. He didn’t want to dump his problems on her, or anyone else for that matter.

“Knut for your thoughts?”

Aiden spun around to see Deven standing beside the tree he was walking past. Damn him. Even outside after curfew, he couldn’t be alone. Aiden sighed heavily ducked into the shadows.

“Can’t I get a few moments alone?”

“Not when Rhapsody’s insisted you don’t,” Deven chuckled. “The woman’s bossy.”

Aiden quirked an eyebrow and smirked. “You love it.”

“I do!” Deven laughed. “But she’s going to learn that I’m not going to cater to her every whim.”

“Good. She needs that.”

“She does,” Deven nodded. “But I do happen to agree with her on this one. You’ll drive yourself crazy thinking about it Aiden.”

“I am trying NOT to think about it, which was precisely why I was out here.”

“According to Rhap, you’ll try and fail miserably. So, when I saw you sneak out, I went too. Zach and Nate probably know but seeing as how I’m standing here, I gather they approve.”

“I knew it was too good to be true.”

“Your brothers love you Aiden.”

“I know that!”

“Then cherish it,” Deven said sadly. “Because a person without family is a lost person indeed.”

Aiden looked at him for a few moments. “You haven’t spoken of your family very much.”

Deven shrugged. “Not much to say really. Besides, what walker wants to hear tales of their sire’s destruction?”

“I have no sire,” Aiden said softly. “My father hates his, wishes he’d never crossed his path, despite how his abilities saved his life. My mother loved hers, still sees him in her dreams bursting into flames as his own kind turned on him for creating her. Hunters aren’t the only enemies you know.”

“I suppose,” Deven said, stepping away from the tree and motioning for Aiden to walk with him. “But growing up a hunter doesn’t seem very different from living in a vampire coven. You eat, sleep, and breathe hunting.”

“Well, vampires don’t actually sleep,” Aiden said with a smirk. “But I can imagine. I know Demitri’s coven followed the old laws, as do most of them. Justice is carried out swiftly. Daywalkers are not messed with, but their creators are destroyed.”

“The walkers aren’t messed with because they are usually trying to take their sires out,” Deven said sadly. “I know my mother did.”

Aiden hummed. “Well, I understand the walker’s standpoint, especially if they are born without support. My mother lived a very hard life. Philippe’s family tried hard to make her feel normal, but you can’t fit a square peg in a round hole. Serena and I are glad of what we are. Mum and dad try very hard to make sure we realized that we were special but normal in our own right. They taught us control and acceptance. They taught us we weren’t alone.”

“Alone,” Deven said with a note of seriousness. “I think that’s what binds them all together. They were left alone to struggle.”

Aiden stopped in his tracks. “That’s it,” he breathed. “That’s what the Master is looking for.”

“What do you mean?”

“They were all snatched when they were alone. Andra and Lazarus were on a date alone. Jonah and Timmy were at home alone. Zandra’s uncle might as well have offered her up on a silver platter. Nahuatl was walking through a market alone. The rest were orphans, children left…alone.”

“It’s easier to break someone without a support system,” Deven said.

“Which was why she didn’t break the ones we were able to rescue. Jonah and Timmy are brothers, Andra and Lazarus, lovers. The orphans stuck together.”

“And Zandra?”

Aiden sighed sadly. “She is the gentlest person I’ve ever met. It’s hard to truly break such a pure soul.”

“And she forged a bond with Jonah,” Deven said.

“I thought I was supposed to NOT be thinking about that,” Aiden growled.

“Rhap and I disagree on that,” Deven smirked. “I think you should be trying harder to win her.”

“Nothing I do is going to speed that bond up.”

“So you say,” Deven grinned.

Aiden narrowed his eyes. “What do you know?”

“I know she instinctively gravitates to you. I know she initially goes rigid when Jonah first touches her. I know that while Rhap won’t tell me her importance, she insists that you two will end up together. I know that her scent has the same note of belonging that the others do.”

Aiden tilted his head in thought. “What do you mean, belonging?”

“People who belong together have a peculiar scent, one that rings belonging in my head. It’s a strange gift I have always had. I know instinctively who should be together. It’s why I knew I had to have Rhapsody, and why I fought myself on it. A family of vampires isn’t exactly a welcoming place for a hunter, even if he doesn’t want to hunt.”

Aiden pursed his lips. “She’s my mate.”

Deven shrugged. “You belong together. That’s all I know.”

Aiden groaned and clutched at his hair. “This is stupid.”

“Actually, it’s pretty simple. Just romance the girl. Rhap always gushes about how much of a regular Casanova you are.”

Aiden snorted. “Casanova was a con man and a womanizer. I am neither.”

“Ah, but he was a great seducer.”

“I’m not going to make a pass at her while she’s dating someone else.”

“You didn’t make a pass at her when she wasn’t.”

Aiden growled. “She didn’t need that. She needed a friend, not a boyfriend, not a lover. She needs the confidence to stand on her own two feet, to know that what happened to her makes her stronger, not weaker. She needs-”

“You,” Deven finished. “She needs a very strong guy, one to hold her when the worlds gets too much but who is willing to let her go and push her forward when she needs it. Jonah is holding her back. He’s very protective but he’s so overbearing that he is smothering her. He needs a stubborn, head-strong girl, one who will push back until he breaks and realizes he isn’t invincible.”

“You mean he needs a wakeup call.”

“Call it what you want. He needs it. He’s in denial over what happened to him. If he keeps this up, he’ll break.”

“Maybe Draco can talk to him,” Aiden muttered.

“Why Draco?”

Aiden sighed. “Draco was the same, abused horribly and in denial over it. It took him to a very dark place, one which he almost lost his life.”

“What happened?”

Aiden grinned. “A stubborn, head-strong woman who pushed back until he broke.”

Deven chuckled. “I knew I liked Hermione. Anyway, I’m not saying to charm the girl out of her panties. I’m saying to be attentive to her needs. What first attracted you to her?”

“Her mind,” Aiden said a bit dreamily. “She’s bloody brilliant. I mean, she’s a very lovely girl, but being pretty isn’t everything. An airhead is only entertaining for a few minutes.”

Deven nodded. “Then cater to her that way. Help her with her homework. Engage her in discussions about theory or whatever peaks your interests. Be there. You don’t have to give her hearts and flowers and chocolates and play her protector. She has one of those. She knows you’ll be one of those if you have to. Show her that your interest in her is more than just being her Hercules. You want to be her soul mate.”

“Rhapsody told you to say that.”

“Possibly.”

“I can smell the nausea you’re experiencing. Admit it.”

Deven huffed. “Oh fine. But it’s brilliant advice.”

Aiden smiled. “Rhap always knows what to say.”

“You can still talk to her you know,” Deven hedged. “She misses you.”

“I don’t want to stand in your way.”

“As long as you aren’t trying to coax her into your bed, I have no problem with it.”

Aiden laughed. “No, that ship has sailed. Tell her we’ll chat soon. Well, she probably already knows.”

“Probably,” Deven agreed. “So will you be heading in then?”

“Not yet,” Aiden sighed. “Being cooped up puts me on edge.”

“What did you do at that other school?”

“I usually snuck up to the ROR and asked it to be a forest I could run through.”

“You like to run through forests?”

“Well, the wolf does.”

Deven froze. “You’re form is a wolf?”

“It sort of comes with the territory.”

“What do you mean?”

“Most vampires can turn into either a wolf or a bat, if not both. As a walker, I can turn into a wolf. Serena is a bat. Zach and Nate are both wolves.”

Deven frowned. “My mother never spoke of being able to shift.”

“Your mother shuns her other side, does she not?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then she probably has rejected her ability. If she would accept it, she could shift. My mother and father both accepted what they were, even though they hated it. They can shift to either form. It just takes a thought to switch.”

Deven was silent for a long time. “Do you think I could?”

“I’d have to ask Cadence for certain, but I would say yes. Your blood is the same as Zach and Nate. The change came easily for them.”

“Why would Cadence know?”

“She can see it. She sees so much. I hope Matt understands what a treasure he is getting.”

“You considered dating her?”

“No,” Aiden said. “Not my type. But James…she was perfect for him. Still, I’m not blind. She’s beautiful, smart, kind, and unfairly burdened just like Rhap. She’s scared though and just needs a little support. James took her out of her shell, but she needs someone who can be there always. James is too hot headed for a permanent match. She needs someone more even tempered.”

“From what I’ve seen, Matt’s the guy,” Deven said, kicking a few rocks in his path.

Aiden chuckled. “I would suspect her soul mate would be ‘the guy.’ Otherwise, it would just be silly.”

Deven stopped breathing for a moment, standing stock still.

“Whoa, you okay there mate?”

Deven shook his head, his eyes wide and fearful. “Rhap’s my soul mate?”

“I didn’t say that,” Aiden said, trying to mask his rising fear.

“You didn’t have to,” Deven whispered. “I can smell it, remember? You just sort of…made it click. I’m the only one she can touch without getting a shock. She can’t read me…because I’m the one person meant for her.”

Aiden cursed himself a fool. He should have left it alone. Rhapsody was going to kill him. Hell, he might just kill himself. What if he upset the balance that Rhap so desperately needed? What if he had sabotaged the mission? Oh Merlin, he had to find Melody.

“Stop,” Deven whispered. “Don’t go.”

“Why?” Aiden asked warily.

“You didn’t deter me…but damn if I’m not terrified now.”

“Why would you be terrified? People have gone to the ends of the earth to find the one person who completes them.”

Deven’s whole body trembled. “What if I’m not good enough?”

Aiden grinned, finally relaxing. “You’ve got it bad.”

“I’m serious!”

“So am I,” Aiden said with a frown. “Only someone who questions their worth to Rhap could even start to be good enough for her. It means you care for her and not just yourself, and if that is the way you feel, then it is good enough for me. You be all you can to her, and you let her judge if you’re good enough.”

“I’m fucked.”

Aiden laughed. “Well, if you’re lucky. Come on. I think it is time for you to take your mind off things. Why don’t we work on your form?”

“But you haven’t talked to Cadence.”

“Doesn’t really matter. Most wizards have a form. They just don’t have the will to find it.”

“Can Rhap shift?”

“Oh yes. She’s magnificent.”

“What is she?”

“You should ask her sometime.”

Deven shook his head. “Not until I have something to show her in exchange.”

Aiden grinned. “You say that like she doesn’t already know.”

“But she doesn’t,” Deven said, finally smirking. “I’m the only person in the world who can surprise her.”

“Touché. Let’s get started.” Aiden backed up a few feet and took off running, turning into a jet black wolf with one smooth stride.

“That’s fucking amazing!” Deven cried and took off after the wolf.

Neither teen noticed the two hummingbirds perched in the trees above them, watching with matching gleams in their eyes.

‘I hope it all works out,’ Hermione thought.

‘Well, it certainly looks like it’s progressing well now,” Draco answered.

‘Will you talk to Jonah?’

‘I think I’ll wait and see how Aiden’s new approach will go. I will if it doesn’t happen fast though. Jonah shouldn’t be left alone to his thoughts much longer. I know all too well what he’s feeling right now.’

‘I do love you Draco Malfoy.’

‘No more than I love you Hermione Malfoy.’

‘Was I really stubborn and head-strong?’

Draco twittered a laugh. ‘Still are love, still are.’

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“Well, this is new,” Melody commented when she sat down at the teacher’s table at lunch.

Aiden and Zandra were in the middle of a rather heated debate on the uses of peppermint oil in potions to improve the taste. Aiden argued that they diluted the potion or altered it. Zandra pointed out that some things couldn’t even be forced down a throat. It was better to get a little in than nothing at all. They were very animated, cheeks flushed, eyes bright with excitement.

“Someone had a heart to heart,” Draco muttered.

“Oh?” Melody asked. “Out for a walk in the moonlight perhaps?”

“The air was lovely,” Hermione said, not the least bit embarrassed.

“They are missing one crucial point,” Severus said, his lips quirked in amusement.

“And that is?” Melody asked, her eyes still glued to the debate.

“That peppermint oil also has many other properties besides taste.”

Aiden stopped mid-argument and blinked, staring at his dad for several minutes before sitting back with a smirk on his face.

“Uh oh,” Draco chuckled. “I’ve seen that look before.”

“He’s going in for the kill,” Melody agreed.

“It isn’t fair to Zandra,” Hermione argued.

Just then, Deven leaned over and whispered what Severus had said into her ear. Aiden frowned but let it continue. She let out a growl and threw her fork down. Apparently, the argument was over.

“Aww, see what you did?” Melody asked. “I was having a great time.”

“There are hundreds of debatable topics related to potions,” Severus sniffed. “I refuse to have them argue a clear cut one.”

“Well, I suppose it is better than hearing Potter and the Weasel argue over quidditch teams,” Draco chuckled.

“No, that one is clear cut too,” Severus snarked. “I hate to say it, but Potter is right. The Cannons will never win.”

Hermione giggled. “Oh, if he could hear you now.”

“I’ll cut out your tongue if you say anything.”

“Sure you would,” Hermione said and patted his arm condescendingly. “But you rest your pretty little head about it. I won’t say a word.”

“Only because she’ll be too busy corking a laugh,” Draco butted in.

Hermione threw him a glare but it melted rather quickly.

“I got a call from Harmony today,” Melody said softly.

All of their children went silent, staring up at her, along with the three adults at her table.

“I’ll dictate it to everyone this evening after dinner.”

“And the general mood of his call?” Severus asked.

“Not bleak,” Melody said, “but not sunshine and butterflies either.”

“Lovely,” Draco said dryly.

“Well, I apologize if I put you off your tea,” Melody snarked.

“Oh drop it,” Severus snapped. “We’re all a bit stressed. Perhaps a meeting is in order.”

“Half an hour after dinner then. Spread the word.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Aiden.”

Aiden spun around, seeking out who called him. He knew who it was but he didn’t want to be obvious about it. Inside, his heart fluttered. Zandra had called for him.

“Yes?”

“Could…could I talk to you for a moment?”

“Sure,” Aiden said softly. “We have a free period anyway. Let’s go to the library.”

“It’s awfully…crowded in there.”

“Oh. Would you like to take a walk outside?”

“Please.”

Aiden nodded and took her book bag without another thought. He didn’t even realize what he was doing until it was done. He’d always done so for Rhapsody, well, any of the girls in the family. They could more than carry it for themselves, but he felt he had to be a gentleman about it. He worried that he might have come off too strongly but Zandra merely blinked for a moment and followed after him.

He walked out to the same tree he and Deven had spoken under the night before. It brought a little smirk to his face as he put their bags down and leaned against the trunk. Then, he made a show of drawing his wand and placing a privacy ward around them, just in case she was uncomfortable about being overheard. After all, she did say the library was crowded.

“Why did you carry my bag?” Zandra asked.

Aiden frowned. “Reflex?”

“Carrying a girl’s bag around is reflex?”

Aiden shrugged. “Sort of. I mean, I know you can carry it, but it’s just a nice thing to do.”

“It is,” Zandra said with a small smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I wish it was some sort of gallant offer but I didn’t even think about it. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s perfect,” Zandra assured him.

“I don’t follow.”

“You said you knew I could carry it.”

“Well, obviously,” Aiden said slowly, not having a clue where she was going with this. “You’re not some delicate china tea cup that will break from a mere stress point.”

“You argued with me today.”

Aiden wore a smug grin. “You were wrong.”

“Fine,” Zandra snapped. “I was wrong. You won. Happy?”

Aiden shook his head in amusement. “Of course I’m happy I was right. But it was my father who pointed it out, not me. Therefore, he won.”

“My point,” Zandra said a bit snippily, “is that you still challenged me.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Aiden asked in confusion. “I’ll challenge anyone.”

“Even if they might not be strong enough to accept it?”

“Wait, we aren’t talking about the same thing, are we?”

Zandra huffed and sat down on the ground. Aiden followed warily, studying her as she tried to compose herself. She looked…tired. And sad. He hated that she looked sad. She’d had too much sadness in her life already.

“Jonah treats me like a doll.”

“He has imaginary tea parties with you?”

Zandra cracked a smile. It made his ego crow a bit to know that he’d caused it.

“No. I’m not sure he even likes tea.”

“Blasphemy, for certain.”

“Indeed,” Zandra said, a full smile blooming on her face. It fell too soon. “No, he treats me as if I’m a glass doll. I’m not allowed to carry my own books, not because he’s being nice, but because I shouldn’t have the extra stress.”

“Well,” Aiden said after a moment of thought. “At least he wants to do it. You could always be like Rose. I mean, she’s strong enough to lift a desk with a few guys sitting on it, but even I stumble when I go to pick her bag up. It’s nice that he doesn’t want you to have to carry it.”

“But he does it because he doesn’t think I can,” Zandra argued. “Not because he wants to make it easier for me or he’s just being nice. I mean, it is nice, but it’s more like an obligation or something.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t mean it that way,” Aiden said softly. He wanted to cut out his own tongue but he hated seeing her agonize over it.

“Maybe,” Zandra said quietly. “But he was so pissed off that you argued with me he couldn’t see straight.”

“Why?”

“Because you were upsetting me. I should have to deal with such an emotional thing.”

“Emotional? It was a question of knowledge, not a dissertation on philosophy regarding your feelings. It was based on facts, not sentiments.”

“Well,” Zandra hedged. “I do feel strongly about taking nasty tasting potions, and I do get rather passionate about my viewpoints.”

“I didn’t say you were wrong to feel strongly about your point. Only that your conclusion was lacking in its entirety. Better tasting potions do go down easier, but compromising them isn’t the solution.”

“Exactly,” Zandra said. “I realized where my hypothesis was flawed once Deven told me what your dad said. I couldn’t argue further so I quit and accepted it. I was mad, but it was at myself for overlooking such an obvious factor in my argument.”

“No one ever gained knowledge by being perfect. It was the mistakes they learned the most from. It’s how you apply the gained information from those mistakes that propels you further. When my dad was searching for a fertility potion that was light instead of dark, he actually blew up part of the guest house at the ranch. It was his greatest breakthrough.”

“But Jonah said that I shouldn’t have to be upset at all. I wasn’t strong enough for it, ready for it.”

“Jonah needs to deal with his own issues,” Aiden growled and then paled. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it badly. I just…I don’t think he’s dealing with his recovery as well as you have.”

“No, I understood how you meant it,” Zandra said. “I’m flattered that you think I’m dealing well…but I’m really not.”

Aiden felt his heart break a little. “I-is there something I can help with?”

Zandra gave him a sad smile. “I’m not sure.”

“Tell me what you need, what would help, and I’ll do everything in my power to get it for you.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” Zandra said darkly.

“I said in my power,” Aiden said softly. “It’s actually quite limiting, but I would do anything for you.”

“Why?” Zandra asked.

Aiden barely caught himself before he said something completely stupid and made Zandra run for the hills. “Because you are my family.”

“No other reason?” Zandra asked. She looked rather depressed.

Aiden swallowed the lump in his throat. “I consider you a very dear friend.”

“Just a friend though,” Zandra sighed.

Aiden took a steadying breath. “I’m trying very hard not to scare you Zandra. Please don’t push if you aren’t ready to hear the entirety of my feelings.”

“What if I want to hear them?”

“It might be something you don’t want to hear,” Aiden warned.

Zandra groaned and fell back into the grass, covering her eyes from the invading sun. “Look Aiden, don’t try to spare my feelings, please. I’ve had enough of that in the last couple of days to last me a life time. Just tell me straight, good, bad, indifferent. I’m really lost right now. I could use some honesty.”

Aiden weighed his options carefully. On one hand, Zandra knowing his true feelings might be good. She could know exactly where he stood. On the other, it could disgust her…or scare her to death. He was interested in attempting forever, a foreign concept for most teenagers. Would he leap? Rhapsody’s words entered his brain. Anything worth having is worth taking a risk. Did he dare?

He breathed in deeply and made a choice. “Zandra, if you don’t know how absolutely mad I am about you, then you really are lost.”

Zandra’s rather loud gasp was more than he could stomach. He silently summoned his bag, released the charms, and almost ran back towards the school. He’d done it. He’d put his heart out on the line…and he didn’t even have the courage to get it stepped on. What a coward he was.

“You fucking idiot,” Rhapsody snapped when he entered the main door.

“What?” He growled. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything?”

“No,” Rhapsody said as if she were talking to a small child. “You were supposed to stay, you moron.”

“So I’m a coward,” Aiden said glumly. “Thanks for clearing that up.”

Rhapsody grabbed his face and hauled it up to look into her eyes. “Aiden Snape, you are no more a coward than I am. But you can’t let fear rule you. She really does need help and you promised to offer it to her. Get your cute little ass back outside and hear her out.”

“What are you doing out of class anyway?” Aiden asked, pulling out of her hands.

Rhapsody smirked. “Female issues. MacNeeley seems to squick out pretty easily at the mention of them, even from us.”

“Very smart. Now get to class before he discovers that you aren’t in the loo moaning about cramps.”

“Fine. But you better listen to me. I’ll make your life a living hell if you don’t.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Aiden mumbled but turned to walk back out the door anyway.

“Good boy,” Rhapsody called.

“Don’t push it,” he yelled back as he walked through the door and into something rather soft and squeaky.

“Oof!”

“Zandra!” Aiden said in a panic and picked the poor girl up off the ground. “Good Merlin, are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said a bit breathlessly. “Gosh, you’re like walking into a brick wall.”

“I’m really sorry. I wasn’t watching what I was doing.”

“Who were you yelling at anyway?” Zandra asked, looking around him to see.

“I was getting scolded by my self-appointed surrogate mother.”

Zandra smiled at him. “Rhapsody’s going to turn your hair pink for that.”

“Possibly.”

“Why was she scolding you…and why did you run?”

“You answered your own question.”

“So she scolded you for running. But that didn’t answer why.”

Aiden closed his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see her reaction. “You’re disgusted. I didn’t want to cause you any more pain.”

“Who said I was disgusted?” Zandra asked in astonishment.

“You gasped in disgust.”

“Try shock,” Zandra said softly. “But definitely not disgust.”

“Sorry then,” Aiden muttered, still not looking at her as he walked further onto the grounds of the castle. “I made you a promise though. What did you need? What would help?”

Zandra was panting with the exertion of keeping up with him. “I’m weak.”

Aiden turned, flying into an instant rage. “YOU. ARE. NOT. WEAK!”

Zandra cowered at his vehemence.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, reaching for her trembling form. He drew her into his arms and held her as gently as he could. “Gods I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Zandra whimpered even as she snuggled into his chest. “Loud noises still scare me. I jump at the silliest things. I’m terrified of my own shadow and I hate it.”

“It’s just going to take time, love,” Aiden said quietly. “You’ve been through something that no amount of dreamless sleep or calming potion is going to take away. You aren’t weak though. You are alive and if that isn’t proof enough, I don’t know what is.”

“I don’t want to be defenseless anymore Aiden,” Zandra sniffled. “I want to be strong…like you.”

“You are part wolf sweetheart,” Aiden whispered in her ear. “You are much stronger than you ever were. Embrace the wolf. Let it fill you up. Cater to its instincts and you’ll see an improvement.”

“But I won’t be strong enough,” Zandra insisted. “Not if I don’t know how to harness it.”

“That takes time as well,” Aiden reassured her. “Patience is the key.”

“We don’t have time for patience,” Zandra growled. “Look Aiden, I want to be able to defend myself. I want to kick arse and take names and not wonder what would happen if someone were to corner me without my wand. I want…I want to learn muggle self-defense. I want to learn wandless magic. I want…I want to be like you. Please.”

“You want me to teach you?” Aiden asked in wonder.

“You always know how far to push me. I know you like me now. I trust you Aiden. Please?”

Aiden felt his legs buckle a bit at her desperate plea. The combination of her in his arms and her heart wrenching request was too much for him. He really was like his father. He couldn’t stand to hear a woman cry. He knew he’d say yes even before she’d asked. He always would.

“Of course,” he breathed. “I’ll teach you everything you want to know. But-“ he pulled back, trying to gage her reaction to his next request. “There is something I want you to promise me first.”

“What?” Zandra asked softly.

“I want you to talk with Draco.” Her face drained of all color. “Whoa, easy,” he said, scooping her up in his arm and carrying her to a nearby bench. “You need to talk about it with someone who has been there, someone who knows exactly how you feel, what you’ll be feeling next, and who overcame it. Draco would never betray you. Would you please do it? If not for yourself, for me?”

“I-I’m scared,” she whimpered.

“I know,” he said, holding her even closer to him. “I know you are. But facing your fears helps you get past them. He’ll help you make sense of it all. I hope, one day, he’ll help you gain your confidence back.”

Zandra snorted. “I never had confidence.”

“Says the girl who publicly challenged Flitwick on a charms theory.”

“I was right,” she huffed. “A strong enough spell could hold permanently.”

Aiden chuckled. “It can. I’ve seen it. However, it took confidence to challenge him.”

“Well, maybe,” Zandra admitted.

“There is no maybe,” Aiden growled. “You had it once. You just need it back. You’ll need it to fight or you’ll be ducking when you should be lunging.”

“You-you think it would help?”

“As sure as breathing.”

“O-ok then. I-I’ll go. I just… I hate bothering him. He and Hermione been given a-a horrible task.”

“Not their first,” Aiden said. “But, what if I set you up an appointment. I’ll even walk you there myself and secure the room. Would you agree to that?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“I’d rather you did choose it,” Aiden said. “But I will bodily enforce it if I have to. You need this. For you, not me or Jonah or anyone else. You.”

Zandra nodded and buried her head in his chest again. Aiden cherished the moment, even if it was because she was so broken. He wanted to be the one to help put her back together again. She would be magnificent, even stronger than before. And…if she decided she wanted to be with Jonah, at least he could say he was a part of what she had become. It was enough.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Draco tossed his cloak into a nearby chair, zeroing in on the bar as soon as the door to his chambers closed. He’d just made an appointment to speak with Zandra…tonight…after whatever announcement that Melody was going to make. He couldn’t very well turn Aiden down, not when he was finally getting through to her. The other teens didn’t seem to have the same problems she did.

No, Zandra’s problem was his own. She didn’t think she was good enough before the torture. While it wasn’t her parents who had beaten her down, it was still engrained in her psyche. That kind of belief was the easiest to feed on, to use and manipulate, to break. He’d never been good enough for his father. It took a learning-obsessed muggleborn to shake him up, teach him to love, teach him to be whole.

“You’re much too hard on yourself,” Hermione said as she breezed through the door. “And if you have more than that one drink, you’ll be no good to her.”

Draco grunted and tossed back the firewhiskey he’d fixed himself. “You’re much too good for me.”

“No,” Hermione said. “I’m just perfect for you. And you are perfect for me. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself and let’s go to dinner.”

“You are certainly chipper tonight.”

Hermione grinned. “Well, I have it on good authority that Aiden told Zandra how he felt about her today. I, for one, love seeing sparks fly.”

Draco smirked and set his glass down before gathering her in his arms. “Unless it is your own children doing the sparking.”

She frowned. “We can’t fight it forever Draco.”

He sighed. “No, suppose not. I’m just glad they’ve found their soul mates.”

“Yes, it is rather wonderful to find your soul mate.”

“Ever wish I wasn’t it?”

“Only until we were married,” Hermione said with a chuckle. “And then…” she trailed off and looked pointedly at his tented trousers.

“You’re just after my manhood then.”

“Well, it is rather magnificent in its own right.”

“Why are you stroking my ego?”

Hermione grinned. “Would you like me to stroke something else?”

Draco’s eyes darkened immediately. “You. Me. Wall. Now.”

She didn’t have time to reply before Draco had her pinned against the wall, capturing her mouth in a bruising kiss. He vanished the bottom half of her clothes before hitching her legs around his. She moaned in his mouth as he pushed his finger inside, trying to get her ready for him. He shouldn’t have worried. She was already raring to go. Not wasting another moment, he freed his cock from his trousers and sank home.

“Gods you feel amazing,” he breathed and dropped kisses along her jaw and neck.

Hermione could only moan in agreement, letting the sensations take her with him. He drove hard and fast, hitting that perfect spot every time. She could already feel herself building, ready to break. She couldn’t help but mentally smirk. There was a bit of an ulterior motive to this little tryst. He was focused on her now and not the feelings of doubt and self-loathing he still harbored. Besides, he really was a sex god and she was going to take full advantage of it.

“Little Slytherin,” he groaned, plunging in harder and swiveling his hips.

She moaned at the new angle. “No, big Slytherin. Very big Slytherin.”

He grinned against her neck. “You know it. Now, we haven’t got much time. Come for me. Let me hear it.”

He reached down and rubbed her clit and she was there. She arched her back as her climax took her away with one brutal thrust. Her screams could probably be heard in the hall but she hardly cared. A few more movements and he was coming too, his groan matching hers in intensity. She shivered at its deep quality.

“Damn,” he wheezed. “You’ll be the death of me yet.”

She laughed weakly. “I’m coming with you.”

“Always,” Draco said, and kissed her again. They’d be a few minutes late, but he couldn’t be arsed to care.

AN: Greetings everyone. Would you believe that I actually wrote this chapter in one sitting? I'm sooo glad it finally came out. I was worried there for a moment. Anyway, as you can see, Aiden and Zandra are coming along. Now if the rest of these damned teenagers would just behave. Oh, wait. They're teenagers. Ha. As always, thank you to everyone for your reviews. Reviews make my muse preen, or perhaps retaliate, not sure about that one. Anyway, 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