Gypsy

Chapter Twelve

I woke to somebody stroking my foot; the fingers slipped up my naked arch and ran over my toes. Murmuring softly I pulled away from the sensation, but the hand followed, slinking up to my calf and gripping it. Eyes opening I looked down expecting to see Iron trying to kill me somehow, instead slightly glazed over blue eyes met mine.

"Malfoy!" gasping I shot up, violently trying to yank my food away, "Wha—what are doing, let me go."

But he didn't, if anything his grip tightened, and when I tried to rise he yanked me towards him. The covers stayed on me, but I quickly remembered that Iron had put me into the bed naked.

"Shhh, I only want to look, Riddle wouldn't mind." He seemed to almost be trying to convince himself; I was yanked further down the bed, the cover starting to fall off.

"Riddle would mind, h—he might hurt me again if you touch me..." I let it hang, and for a second Malfoy stopped and looked at me with eyes clear of fog.

He swallowed deep and looked down at his hand, "You might not survive if he hurts you again... he already is planning to punish you, for trying to escape." The hand slowly released me, the second I was free I grabbed the cover and hunched up near the headboard, panting heavily.

Groaning the blond gripped his head and sat on the end of the bed, "I can't seem to think straight when I'm around you." Fingers clenched in his hair and he shot a glare at me, "A Malfoy, brought low by a filthy Mudblood."

Somehow I knew, without a doubt, that he was going to make a grab for me again. "Calm down Abraxus," we both froze at my use of his first name, but the tension left him. "I—I'm sorry if I am causing you any pain, it isn't what I want." Sniffing, I twisted my hands in the covers, "I don't want to hurt anything."

"Well this was very touching." Malfoy and I jumped at the sarcastic voice, the later standing immediately as his leader seemed to appear from an empty corner. Lips twisting Riddle tossed what was in his hands from one to the other, it was books. Seeing my looking he smirked and walked over, conjuring a chair out of thin air so he could sit. "Guess who sent me mail today?"

No...oh god please no...

My face must have paled considerably, as my captors lips actually parted in a true smile. "One Jeremy Bones sent me a little bundle of books," he held them up so I could clearly see the covers; they were the ones Jenny had asked for. "Don't look so heartbroken, he really had no choice, and he sent you a letter as well, so I suppose he can't be all bad."

Riddle flicked me the letter, it deflected off my shoulder and onto the bed in front of me. Still holding the covers up with one hand, I grabbed the already opened parchment and started reading.

Dearest Antoinette,

Jenny told me about your recent problems with Riddle and his little 'gang', I'm so sorry I cannot be there to protect you (thankfully the one who does all the actual protecting, Jenny, is there). She also informed me of his claim that you are not a proper witch, utter rubbish if you ask me. You are the truest and kindest person I know, and you are more than worthy to call yourself a witch.

Please do not forget that I love you, I know it isn't much but I pray it is enough to help you through your final year.

I anxiously await your return letter.

Missing you always,

Jeremy Bones.

P.S I looked into those books Jenny asked me to find, but was unable to locate them. I will continue searching though, if only to give you a little peace of mind that you are not one of these creatures Riddle believes you to be.