A witch's heart [Draco Malfoy x oc]

A gift for the gods

Christmas was approaching and everyone was in a great mood. Both Cecily and Laurel would go home to their parents, and I couldn't wait to see Dad and Tom again. Merlin's sacred underwear, had I missed them. We'd written each other a few times (Dad's health had neither improved nor gotten worse), but I was still worried.

That day, I had my very last lesson with Malfoy before the holidays. We hadn't brought up the kiss since he last mentioned it a few days ago, while looking distressed - the opposite of the calm and composed face that was sneering at me because I needed to hurry up.

I finished my last charm. Malfoy waited a bit, obviously thinking and then said: "That was ... good. You got a lot better at it. Finish reading the charms book of last year, also, take this. He handed me this years potions book. I frowned. "Thank you, but I already have it."

Malfoy shook his head. "No you don't. This is the book for sixth year with instructions from Severus Snape, former headmaster. Potter got it published - or rather I'd say Granger is the person behind it, but it doesn't really matter. This book has way better instructions than the official one, and I bet it will be sold out tomorrow."

I smiled. "Thanks, Draco."

Draco ... the last time you called him that he kissed you.

When are you finally going to shut up?

Agapi just laughed.

I could see Malfoy shifting from one foot onto the other. It seemed like he actually remembered - not from what I told him, but because the memory had probably come back soon after we talked.

Since it was awkward to just stay there like this, I waved and got out of the dungeons before I could change my mind.

+

Platform 9 3/4 was packed with waving parents and relatives when the Hogwarts Express arrived. I couldn't find Tom yet, but I was sure, I -
"Booh!"
"AAAHH!", I screamed and turned around. It was Tom. I punched his arm. "Stop being like this. You know it scares me."
Tom chuckled. "That's why it's so funny. Come on Niela, we've got a plane to take."

+

We arrived late at night at the gates of Camp Half-blood together with Alicia and Theodor. After entering the camp I immediately went to the Apollo hut, assuming that Dad would be there since he couldn't stay in the infirmary forever. I knocked.
"Come in", somebody said.
I entered. Dad was sitting on his bed, doing paperwork, while the rest of the Apollo hut was either outside training or sitting next to my Dad, trying to understand whatever he was working on. "Dad!"
He turned around with a smile. "Niela! Come sit down, I think you will like what I've been working on ..." he shoved the mountain of papers aside and revealed a white computer, though it wasn't installed anywhere.

I greeted the other children of Apollo and sat down next to my dad. Then I remembered something. "Dad, aren't electronic devices attracting monsters and stuff?"
He grinned. "That's exactly why I made this - it's a computer with multiple magic shields against monsters. They need to be renewed every five months. Since this is a fusion of both mundane technology and magic, we might be able to find out the exact locations of each gemstone that has been stolen."

I grinned. "Thank you so much, Dad. How long have you been working on this though? I didn't tell you long ago. Please don't say you've been working nonstop ever since then."

Dad waved his hand in denial. "No, no, not nonstop. I started working about three days after you told me. I did get some rest, Niela-"

"Which means you rested when Tom forced you to do so. Alright Dad, but why? Mother Amera told us of the forests in which gemstones are missing."

"I know Niela, but this gets you to the exact location. Also, I had fun doing this - I've been thinking about this idea for quite long now, it didn't come out of nowhere. Don't worry, I am not overworking myself. Alright?"
I had to trust him with this just like he trusted me with the quest.

"Alright."

Dad kissed my forehead and I made myself comfortable next to him, watching him work and explain stuff to the Apollo kids until I fell asleep.

+

My dreams had been friendly for the most part. I'd seen the village my grand parents in Cameroon were living in. The view had been amazing as always, with the bunch of mountains and untouched nature. But suddenly, the dream had changed.

I could see a platinum blonde woman crying, as she listened to the person in front of her.
The man was sitting on a throne-like chair, though he himself looked everything but royal; even if his clothes seemed to be the finest out there, his eyes were desperate, almost obsessed. He had put on a trying - to - be - convincing smile. "I am sure I can do this, Narcissa. Don't worry. We'll find a way. The Malfoy name shall not be -"

The woman abruptly stopped crying. Quietly, after wiping away her tears she said: "I don't care about it."

The man frowned. "What did you say?"

"I don't care about the Malfoy name. I care about Draco. If what you are going to do will harm him, you will pay. I warn you again, you're going too far. Your plans won't work, so please, Lucius, stop this, for your and Draco's sake."

The man - Lucius - shook his head. "It's too late now, anyways. I already stole it." He held up a crystal, about as long as his arm, and twice as thick. A part of a forest crystal, though I was sure said forest was not Hogwarts forbidden forest. Lucius would have been killed after only setting foot near the crystal.

No, the forest he had attacked must have been under a lack of protection. The magical creatures living in it were likely too small and weak to defend the crystal.

If only a small fraction of the crystal had incredible powers, what about such a big part?

I could notice how burned and scarred Lucius Malfoy's hand looked - as if the crystal had a defense mechanism.

Narcissa's eyes widened in horror. "This is not supposed to be in mundane hands. The power is immense, uncontrollable - "

"- which is what will save us, dear", Lucius Malfoy said. "Imagine - I will sell this to a very interested buyer. This buyer will bless our son for life. I already made the deal - don't worry, the deal only counts if I choose to sell this to him."

"Who is that buyer?", Narcissa asked.

"The best one I could get.", Lucius grinned. "It's Tyche"

I could catch a glimpse of Narcissa's  horrified face before the dream changed.

A very tall woman sat on a giant chair. In front of her somebody about half her size kneeled. "The buyer has been convinced, Mylady."

"Does he have it?", the woman spoke. Her voice was very light and high-pitched, like the voice of a child.

"Yes" her servant replied. "But, Mylady, don't you think the pay is a bit too high? This type of gift will be wasted on human beings, their minds cannot handle it either way-"

"I'm sure they will be able to handle it. I'm the goddess of fortune!", the woman said happily. "My gift will give them luck and fortune - just like when I blessed a whole city with wealth."

Maryam frowned. "Still Mylady, it might be dangerous. The Malfoy family has a lot influence in the magical world. Destroying them is destroying a source to human power-"

"Don't you worry.", the woman said. "When I have the piece of crystal, I will make sure that they are safe and sound. For a gift so big they should be rewarded very well. You know what? I will increase the payment. They shall get a gift even gods rarely got to have."

Maryam's eyes widened at her Madams words and suddenly I was able to hear her thoughts : It is going to kill them. A gift of fortune, wealth and happiness, meant for a god, will destroy their sanity. My madam wants to do good, and I know it - but there is no way stopping her now.