| Girl on Fire |

80

DRACO MALFOY

"Ali, can you stop with the pacing? It's giving me a headache" Blaise groaned. "Maybe that's the excessive firewhiskey drinking you're doing" she snapped and she continued pacing. He rolled his eyes. Blaise and Enzo were sitting on the floor, passing a bottle of firewhiskey back and forth. I sat on my bed reading a book. Mattheo left to Merlin only knows where and we were all waiting for Theo. "It's not a good sign that it's taking this long." Allison said. "Relax Ali, he's just talking to her. She's not going to hex him." I said. "I wouldn't put it past her. Has anyone ever dared to speak out against the Malfoy princess?" Blaise said sarcastically. "Piss off" I mumbled. "He's got a point," Enzo added. "You guys are making my sister sound like a Bond Villain" I said. They all looked at me strangely. "It's a muggle book series." I said. "Wow, Draco Malfoy reads muggle literature," Blaise said smugly. "Piss. Off." I said sharply. Theo walked back into my room and Allison stopped pacing and sat down. "Finally." she said. "Did you talk to her?" I asked. "Yeah" he said as he lit a cigarette. "And?" I asked. "She didn't take it well," he said. I groaned. Great. Just great. "How do you know?" Allison asked. "She was quiet. Really quiet." he said. "Really?!" I exclaimed. "Yeah, so?" he said. "She isn't angry. When Veronica is angry, she tells you. When she is quiet, she is thinking. She knows we're right." I said. "Are you sure?" Blaise asked. "She's my sister. I know her and being quiet is a good thing." I said. He shrugged.

VERONICA MALFOY

I finished getting ready and went to get dressed. I put on a back dress, heels and pearls. Simple but effective. Then as much as I was dreading it, I went to Draco's room. I knocked and went in.

They were all spread throughout his room, talking. Enzo and Blaise were drinking. Shocker. "Hey Ronnie," Draco said. I rolled my eyes as I sat on his bed. "Don't Hey Ronnie me" I snapped. They all looked at me. "How long have you all been talking about me and Mattheo? When did you all decide that my relationship was any of your business?" I asked. "All of your relationships became our business when you let Marcus abuse you for almost 2 years without saying a word." Blaise said. I glared at him. "V, I know you think you don't need anyone but you do. You need us." Blaise said. "And we are here." Theo said. "Yeah, so you might as well just get used to it." Enzo added. I sighed. "Whatever." I mumbled. After a few minutes of silence, Draco spoke. "Did you think about what we said?" he asked. "Yes." I stated. "And?" he asked. "And I think we should go downstairs so we aren't late to the meeting. I don't know about you, but I'm not in the mood for the cruciatus curse." I said. Then I stood up and walked over and opened the door. I stood there waiting. They realized that's all they were going to get out of me and stood up. The boys walked out but Allison stopped in the doorway. She was scared. To be honest, so was I. This was so fucked up.

"I'm scared V," she said softly. "I love you so much Ali. I'm sorry I couldn't stop this." I said. She nodded.  I smiled at her and held out my hand. "Hold my hand?" I said. She smiled and took my hand. "I won't ever let go," she replied. Then we walked downstairs, together.

There were death eaters sitting at the tables, including everyone's parents. The boys all sat down and Allison and I joined. I sat in next her and Draco. I scanned the room but Mattheo was nowhere to be found. "Where's Mattheo?" I whispered to Draco. "I don't know," he replied. "He didn't tell you where he went?" I questioned. Draco shook his head. "Veronica, Draco, may I have a word?" I turned around and our mother was there, Draco and I got up and went into the kitchen. "Did Severus speak to you?" she asked. "Yes, we practiced." I said. "We got rather good at it too." Draco added. Our mother smiled. "I'm so proud of you two. Remember, you can always trust Severus. Ok?" she said. "Does father know about our connection?" Draco asked. "He knows it exists. He doesn't know the extent of its power. He doesn't know of all the abilities that come with it. Do you understand?" she asked. "Of course. I'm sure if he did, he would just figure out a way to turn it into something beneficial to him" I said. Draco gave a chuckle. "Yes, your probably right. Which is why you two have each other. Your connection is sacred. Not just because of the abilities it gives you. The bond between twins is unbreakable. Your love for one another is the strongest thing of all." she said. "Only when he's not being a prat" I said. "Oh piss off" Draco mumbled. "Enough, you need each other. Especially today. You need to be brave, for your friends." she said. We nodded. "I love you both." she said. I smiled and hugged her, then Draco wrapped his arms around us. "We love you mum" I said. "We should get back, I don't want to raise any suspicions." she said. We nodded.

Then the storm began.