Where Two Paths Meet

A/N: I’m just trying to update like mad now so I don’t force you all to wait for so long again. Thanks again to Usha and Lovely.Beat.For.Life! You two are awesome!!

Chapter 13: Secret Desires

Draco walked into the temple and looked around in surprise. If he thought the outside was beautiful, it was nothing compared to the inside. Giant golden pillars extended to the roof that was charmed to look like a starry sky. A prayer altar was at the end of the hall where large golden statues of woman carrying books were placed in a circular fashion. Creeping red roses intertwined around the gold pillars and beautiful white lace hangings hung tastefully around the room. Draco could see giant gold doors extending from the hall and wondered what was through them but the woman snapped him out of his thoughts as she closed the door behind her.

“The girl. Who is she?” The woman asked curiously, her mesmerising blue eyes focused on Ginny’s face.

Draco held Ginny closer to him and glared at the woman. He did not like the expression on her face. It was a calculating expression and it made him feel uncomfortable.

“What do you care?” Draco snapped rudely. He was not in the mood to be nice to this woman.

“Because she is wearing the crimson rose.” The woman replied amiably.

“The crimson rose?” Hermione said blankly, looking from the woman to Draco. Draco had no idea what she was talking about either and frowned. Just what did this woman want with them?

The woman laughed and pointed to the necklace at Ginny’s throat. “That is the crimson rose.”

Draco looked at the blood pendant in confusion. Lucretia had given it to Ginny but he didn’t know how this woman could possibly know what it was? He suddenly felt like everything solid in his world was falling apart. He just felt so confused and lost now.

Angrily Draco looked back at the woman. “What do you want with us?” He demanded.

“Hmm, the question is, what do you want with me?” She asked walking forward, a seductive smile curling her full lips, her striking blue eyes staring straight into his own.

Draco met her gaze unflinchingly. He didn’t know what she was playing at but he was not going to play her game, no matter how beautiful she was.

“Tell me where Potter is and we will leave.” Draco said as nicely as he could. In truth he just wished they could hurry up and leave. This temple made him feel uneasy.

“Your friend was attacked by Ghasts.” She replied walking towards some doors on the left. “My servants found him and brought him here.”
She pushed open the door and gestured them to follow. Draco walked in and saw Harry lying in a very large bed asleep. The room looked nice enough and he did not appear to be hurt.

“As you can see, he is fine.” The woman said quietly as she watched Harry. A half smile played on her lips and her eyes gazed into his face like he was a particularly rare treasure.

Hermione didn’t like the look the woman was giving Harry and let out a disgruntled huff. Draco eyed Hermione with amusement but then turned to the woman. He felt at least somewhat reassured that she was not going to hurt them if she was taking care of Harry and his arms were aching from carrying Ginny for so long. He knew too that she needed rest to recover from the poison.

“Is there anywhere I can put Ginny.” Draco asked the woman.

The woman nodded. “I have already prepared a room for her. I knew you were coming.”

Draco eyed her suspiciously but said nothing. Even the greatest seers never knew everything but then again, Dumbledore had always had an annoying habit of knowing everything.

She led Draco and Ginny to a room much like the one Harry had been occupying, with the same large bed and nice lace curtains surrounding it. A pretty bedside table with a small lamp was next to the bed and a few paintings of landscapes were on the walls.

“She can rest here.” The woman said gesturing to the bed.

Draco walked to the bed and gently placed Ginny on the silk sheets. He stared down at her with a warm look in his grey eyes. He was just so happy she was safe now. He didn’t think he had ever been so scared in his life as he did when he thought Ginny was going to die. It was amazing how much she had become a part of his life just over the time they had spent together.

“You care for her greatly, don’t you?” The woman asked curiously.

Draco stood up and faced the beautiful woman. His grey eyes narrowed slightly as his face hardened. He did not like this woman or her curious ways.

“I don’t think that is any of your concern.”

The woman smiled devilishly and walked over to Draco, her blue eyes gazing into his own with a spellbinding expression. Tracing his cheek with her finger she leant forward and whispered in his ear, “I can see you care for her, but could she ever feel the same for you?”

Draco stood back involuntarily and stared at the woman, his eyes burning with rage. He hated how this woman thought she knew everything about him. He had realised that he cared about Ginny but he often feared that she did not feel the same way. To have this woman voicing his fears was not what he wanted to hear.

“What are you talking about?” Draco snapped, trying to smooth his composure back.

“Ginny is a sweet girl. She’s used to being loved. She has a loving family that care for her and she would do anything for them. I’m sure they would love to show her what they thought of you. I’ve seen how her brother watches you. They don’t trust you Draco. They hate you.”

The woman walked closer and once again placed a soft hand on his cheek. “You are their enemy. You may be helping them now but what will happen when this is all over? Do you think they will actually accept you? Your future is not with her Draco, no matter how much you may care for her.”

Draco gazed into her deep blue eyes, his mind swirling with confusion and anger. He shook his head, ripping his eyes from her. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“I think you do.” the woman whispered not letting Draco escape from her cool gaze as she turned his face back towards her. “Deep down you know it will never be. You will always be a Malfoy, and she will always be a Weasley. It is as simple as that.”

Draco glared at her and went to leave the room but her voice stopped him.

“Think about what I said Draco. It is best if you stop this before you hurt her and yourself.”

Draco continued to walk as though he had not heard her, slamming the door shut behind him. The woman allowed a small smile to grace her features as she watched his retreating back. She turned her gaze to Ginny and an odd look came into her eyes. It was almost pity.

“So, she chose you? It doesn’t matter. Everything is already going to plan. The stage has been set and the actors are obliging. Soon it will be your turn to play in my little game.”

She stroked Ginny’s face and smiled softly down at her sleeping face. “So innocent. But it is always the innocent who are the victims.”

She pulled her hand away and gracefully left the room.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Hermione stood looking at Harry in the bed. She hadn’t realised how much she had missed looking into this thin face. At his dark hair and familiar lightening bolt scar. She admired him greatly and she was relieved that he was safe.

“He’s alright Ron.” Hermione sighed leaning into Ron’s shoulder. Ron put a comforting arm around her and pulled her closer.

“My, aren’t we cosy.” The woman mocked from behind them.

Ron and Hermione sprang apart as though burned.

The woman laughed softly. “So jumpy?”

Hermione shook her head, still trying to catch her breath. She was slightly surprised to see the woman’s face was smiling with true amusement instead of the sly smiles she had been giving them before.

“I’m sorry, you startled us…” Hermione said slowly.

“My apologies.” The woman said, again with an amused smile. “I assure you, your friend is in safe hands. Please relax and enjoy your time here in my home.”

“We really don’t have time.” Hermione said apologetically. “As soon as Ginny and Harry are better we have to leave.”

“I see…well at least allow me to invite you to dinner while your friends recover” The woman said smiling kindly, giving a long searching look into Ron’s eyes.

Ron and Hermione accepted her invitation and watched her walk out of the room.

“I don’t trust her.” Hermione said looking at Ron seriously. She was so sure that the woman was up to something and now more than ever she felt like all the uneasiness she was feeling was because of that woman.

“Why?” Ron said dazed, his eyes still staring at where the woman had just been standing.

Hermione rolled her eyes in frustration. “Honestly Ron, are you so blind. She’s hiding something. All her smiles and kind words are just an act. Malfoy agrees with me”

“Oh and you’ll agree with everything he says?” Ron said scathingly. “Maybe she really is just trying to help us. You just don’t want to trust her.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Hermione said shaking her head. She didn’t know what had gotten into Ron but she didn’t like it.

“I know. You’re jealous.” Ron said with a triumphant look in his eyes. “You’re jealous because she is so much more beautiful than you and is more help then you could ever be.”

Hermione looked like Ron had slapped her in the face. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. After all the years they had spent together he turns around and says that just because he sees a beautiful woman. She could feel the anger boiling inside her as she looked into Ron’s face.

“How dare you say that to me you-”

“It’s true isn’t it, Hermione?” Ron said giving her a disgusted look.

“Ron, what are you talking about?” Hermione said annoyed. What was wrong with him and how could he possibly think she was that shallow?

“I can’t believe you would do this. The woman took care of Harry. She is taking care of us and you just sit here saying she can’t be trusted. I expected better of you Hermione.” Ron said coldly as he walked out of the door.

Hermione stared at the door in shock, finally collapsing to the floor where she sobbed quietly. How could Ron have talked to her like that? Was this woman’s influence that great over him? He had treated her with scorn and the disgust in his eyes made her feel sick.

Hermione closed her eyes and stood up. She had to put on a brave face. There was no way she was going to let that woman win.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Dinner was a very strange affair. Draco watched as Hermione and Ron carefully avoided each other’s eyes. The mysterious woman had not yet made an appearance; Draco didn’t know whether to be relieved or suspicious.

The tension was reaching such high points that Draco thought he couldn’t take it any longer. Finally when he was just deciding to leave, the doors opened and the woman came in dressed in a dark red dress that cut low over her breasts. A large slit went down her dress revealing a long shapely leg. Her light brown hair was curled in an old Roman style and framed her beautiful face well. Really he almost had to catch his breath as he saw her.

“Excuse my lateness,” she said smiling sweetly. “I had some business to attend to.”

Ron held in his breath and gazed at the woman in open admiration.

Hermione narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

Draco watched her walk towards them feeling a little uneasy. She slowly took her seat and eyed the three teenagers with an amused expression.

“I believe I have not introduced myself. My name is Selina.” She said smiling.

“Selina” Ron sighed wistfully.

Selina smiled her seductive smile at Ron and Hermione couldn’t help but noticed how his blue eyes seemed to darken when Selina looked at him. She frowned but did not say anything.

They began to eat. Selina talked easily and Ron agreed with whatever she said. Hermione made no effort to hide her disdain and Draco was feeling increasingly uncomfortable as Selina sent sly looks towards him. He was beginning to feel hot and flushed, like he couldn’t control his body. He knew it was just her body and her beauty but he found it increasingly harder to not look at her. Finally he couldn’t take it anymore and stood up.

“Excuse me.” Draco said quickly and left the room.

Selina watched him leave, a small smile curling her lip and she too stood up. “I’d better show him to his room.” She said apologetically and followed Draco.

Selina saw Draco walking down the corridor and quickly moved towards him. “Where are you going?” She asked smoothly.

Draco stopped and looked at her. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. All he wanted was to get away from her. He didn’t like the affect she was having on him. It was like he couldn’t even control himself. He had decided that he would go see Ginny to try get rid of that beautiful woman’s face but it seemed she had other plans.

“I was going to see Ginny.” Draco said quietly.

“I see.” Selina said silkily. She walked forward until she was an inch from Draco. “Is it that important?” She whispered, her lips brushing his ear.

Draco closed his eyes and tried to regain control over his body as he felt her warm breath on his face. Selina looked at his expression and smiled triumphantly.

“I can make all your worries disappear.” she purred in his ear and gently kissed him on the lips.

Draco did nothing at first but he soon lost himself to her spell as she deepened the kiss more passionately and gently pushed him into a room. Draco felt himself fall against a soft bed. The feeling of silk slid under his fingers as his hands slid against the sheets. He watched as Selina leant over him planting a passionate kiss on his lips, gradually getting lower as she trailed her kisses down his neck. She let her fingers slide down his chest and started unfastening his robes.

Draco couldn’t believe what was happening. He felt like he was on fire as her lips and her hands passed over his body. It was more wonderful than anything he had experienced but underneath all the lust Draco felt a sense of wrongness, like he shouldn’t be doing this. He cared about Ginny, not Selina, yet here he was about to do goodness knows what with this woman.

“Wait.” Draco said grabbing her hands.

“What is it?” Selina asked stopping to look at him. Her blue eyes were filled with passion and Draco found himself staring at those full luscious lips. She was perfect in everyway.

“I can’t do this.” Draco said a little reluctantly. He did care for Ginny, but he was not impervious to beautiful woman and Selina had to be the most beautiful woman he had ever beheld.

Selina laughed as though he had said a funny joke. “You are rejecting me?”

Draco nodded, still feeling like he was losing the greatest chance in his life. He almost wished he could just ignore those pestering feelings and just let her do what she wanted with him.

Selina crawled off him and looked at him for a moment before smiling. “Pity. But I guess the choice is yours.”

She stood up and left the room throwing one last seductive smile at him before she shut the door.

Draco sighed deeply and stared at the roof. “The things I do for you Ginny.”