𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

Chapter 16

"There's something I have to tell you," he said. "About my family."

Draco nodded, waiting for him to go on. Edward drew himself up and sat, arms circling his knees, scanning the horizon. It was nice to be up here, out of the forest. Calming. But perhaps not for long. He didn't know how Draco would react to the news he needed to share.

"When I spoke with Carlisle, he told me something about my past . . . about my father. He thinks my father may have been a wizard."

Chapter Sixteen

Draco regarded Edward absently for a moment before laughing and shaking his head, his hands trailing through the new spring grass. "That's hilarious."

"It's not meant to be. I'm not joking," Edward said. He'd expected as much from Draco's initial reaction; it still sounded strange to his own ears. "I hardly believe it myself."

"What exactly did he tell you?" Draco leaned forward, his sober expression urging Edward on. Edward stretched his legs out, pressing one alongside Draco's just because. It was comforting, the connection. Edward didn't know when it had happened, but somehow over the past few months he'd grown dependent on it. He shook his head to clear it of the distracting thoughts and started at the beginning.

To his credit, Draco listened without interrupting, though the stoic cast of his face didn't allow Edward much insight into his thoughts. When Edward described Alistair's theory of vampirism tapping into latent wizarding power, however, Draco's eyes widened, flashing with something unsettling before being masked once again.

"That's how you got your ability to read minds?"

"It's part of the theory, yes."

"Hmmm. How interesting. I suppose it makes sense, though it's surprising I haven't heard of it before."

Edward tensed, remembering Carlisle's warning. "It's . . . there's some fear that the knowledge might be misused."

Draco nodded.

"You're taking this well. So you believe me?"

"It accounts for your talent. And I'd always wondered why you could see Hogwarts," Draco said. "But you've never shown any other abilities?"

"No," Edward admitted. "I've never felt anything beyond the telepathy. I wondered . . . if maybe . . ." Feeling suddenly foolish, he lowered his head. What did he want, Draco to teach him magic? It didn't exactly seem like something that could be learned, from what Draco had told him of his childhood.

"What?"

"I don't know . . . it's . . ."

"You want to learn magic?"

"No. Maybe. I thought if maybe I could learn how to deflect curses . . ."

"You want to try to off the Dark Lord," Draco spat. He glanced around, drawing attention to the fact that while they might appear alone, the threat of being overheard was very real. Edward lowered his voice accordingly, leaning forward and trying not to get distracted by the very close proximity of Draco's lips.

"The thought had crossed my mind. Wasn't your main objection that I'd be at risk? Well, if that's the case, then if I learned to deflect the spells . . ." Of course Edward still didn't believe that Voldemort would pose a threat should he get close enough, but Draco would never consent unless he had additional protection.

"You're not a wizard, Edward," Draco said. "I'm sorry, but this isn't going to work."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know, hmm? You haven't seen. You don't know what he's capable of."

"Maybe you don't know what I'm capable of."