Always. (A Draco Malfoy Story)

Conflicted.

I stood still in the room as I watched Malfoy walk away from me in a hurry. I took a look at my hand that was cupping his face. I try to remember the fluttering feeling I felt when I saw him melt into my hand.

What the fuck was that?

I began to breathe in and out slowly, trying to calm myself and shake my head. 'That was weird, right?'

I looked down at my now ringless finger and felt a wave of emptiness overwhelm me. I really liked that ring. It gave me a sense of comfort... even if it wasn't really mine.

-

Dumbledore closes the mirror doors in his office.
"May I remind you, Severus, that this should stay between us. Mr. Malfoy should not be aware of what we know." Snape nods as Dumbledore escorts him out of his office. Snape was about to descend down from the office when Dumbledore mentions one last thing, "You love her, don't you?"
Snape sighs, "As if she were my own."

-

Snape returns to his own office and takes a seat at his desk. He looks at his surroundings as if he's studying everything.
He gets interrupted when Malfoy barges in, "Where is she?!" Snape's head pops up to the blonde who's frantic at the moment.

"Who are you referring to, Mr. Malfoy?" Snape slowly responds. Malfoy shuts the door behind him, "Where's Joy?!"
Snape's expression stays cold, "I would assume she is with the Lord for her training." Draco yells, "I know this is hers!"

He pulls the diamond ring into Snape's eyesight. Snape's eyes widen but quickly returns to his cold demeanor. Draco goes on, "So why does your daughter have it on her hand?! Where. Is. Joy?!"
Snape glides over to Malfoy, "I would advise for you to lower... your voice when you speak of her."

Snape looks down at Malfoy, "Joy has given it to Rosie... as a gift." Malfoy scowls at Snape, "Where is Joy?" Snape goes on, "You should be focused on your task, and not... trifling with my daughter." He glides over to his office door and motions for Malfoy to leave. "I'd hurry if I were you, Mr. Malfoy... you have a deadline to meet."

-

Draco gets to his room and slams the door shut. He rips his jacket off and throws it to the wall. He grabs the diamond ring out of his pocket and moves over to his bed.
He examines the pristine, diamond ring that should've still been on Joy's finger. He adds it onto his ring chain, to keep it safe and protected.

He falls back onto his bed and stares at the ceiling above him.
He misses Joy, truly, wholeheartedly.
But he can't dismiss the feeling he felt when Rosie was caressing his cheek, when she tugged on his trousers. How nervous he felt, how guilty he felt for enjoying her touch when he know his heart belongs to Joy.

It was like an instant spark once Rosie touched his face and looked into his eyes. The same spark he had with Joy.

But he loves Joy. He's in love with Joy. They're gonna get married when he does what he needs to...

Then why can't he stop thinking about Rosie, all of a sudden?

-

I leave the room and watch the wall mysteriously change back into its boring self. I huff as it morphed before my eyes and begin to walk down the corridor.

Unexpectedly, I run into Dumbledore.
"Headmaster!" I step back, "I'm so sorry about that." He looks to me, "Ahh, Miss... Snape. Well it's quite alright. Were you not interested in visiting Honeydukes on this fine day?" I shake my head, "No, candy isn't my cup of tea. I prefer pastries."

He sighs, "Yes, our strawberry tarts are to die for." I smile, "I'm excited to try one when they provide it for dinner."

I begin to walk away from him when he calls out, "Ahh, Miss Snape?" I turn back around, "Yes?"
He explains, "You resemble someone I feel like I've known in another lifetime." I nervously chuckle, "Well Headmaster, with all due respect, you've been around for a very, very long time. Perhaps your memory isn't as sharp as it used to be."
He smiles, "Very well. Tell Mr. Malfoy I said hello."

Instinctively I smile at him as he walks away from me. I take a few steps before stopping and remember what he said... 'Tell Mr. Malfoy he says hello?'

What the fuck?

-

I get to Snape's office to update him on what I found out about Malfoy and his precious cabinet.
I don't even bother knocking, I just walk right in.

"Hello Father." I shut the door behind me and walk to his desk. Snape turns and sees me walking to him, "It's rude to barge in here without knocking." I roll my eyes, "Whatever."

I whip out my wand and change back into Joy.
I dust myself off after I've morphed and looked up and saw Snape staring at me... smiling?

I snap, "What are you staring at? Staring is rude, you know." Snape raises one eyebrow and motions for me to sit down. He says, "So what do I owe to this lovely visit?"

I smirk, "Well, I've been here for a few days and I already found out that he's mending a Vanishing Cabinet in a hidden room. I'm assuming it has a twin?" Snape looks amused, "And how do you know it's a Vanishing Cabinet?" I scoff, "I'm not a complete idiot, I just tend to act like one sometimes. I'm quite smart actually.. I mean, I kind of have to be. You know.. being the 'all mighty heir' and all."

I lift my feet up onto the table and cross my legs at my ankles. Snape rolls his eyes and pushes my feet off of his desk, "Smart enough to let Mr. Malfoy take the ring that Rosie isn't supposed to have?" I huff, "It's just a stupid ring. Why does he care so much?"

Snape stays quiet and his eyes soften. After a minute or two, he goes on, "Nevertheless, he isn't supposed to know you are Joy and Rosie. You were told to just watch him and make sure he completes his tasks." I sit up straight, "Well, he's done with it."

Snape furrows his eyebrows, "What was that?" I smile, "He's done with it. It's fixed. I felt the energy when I touched it. I don't think he knows it's done though."
He nods, "Very well. We'll wait for him to notify me first. Then you're free to return to the Lord."

I stand up, "That's it? All he had to do was fix a damn cabinet and that's why Voldy sent me here?!" I cross my arms, "He is about to get a fucking earful from me."

Snape explains, "Mr. Malfoy has another task, but it does not concern you. It is something that I can help him with. Your services won't be required, so you are free to go afterwards." He motions for me to leave.

I quickly change back to Rosie and head to the door, "Bye Sevy!"

"Do not call me that."