Again, I am very sorry for the delay, but here's another chapter, many thanks to my most patient beta Elise! The main questions in the reviews seem to be demanding when the whole D/G is going to kick in… it will be soon - and perhaps at the start it will not be what you are all waiting for. What I write now is (what I find) relevant to the build up of their relationship in the future, this IS my first D/G fic and I am trying to write it so I don't have any gaping loopholes. Bear with me and be patient, it's all coming together in my wee mind!
Old Loves Die Hard
Eleanor walked side by side with Luna towards Transfiguration, which was the last class of Friday afternoon and was shared with Gryffindors. Luna was happily humming "God Save the Queen" as they wound their way up the tower to McGonagall's class. Tomorrow was a Hogsmeade weekend and most seventh years were grateful for their monthly trip to the village. Their workload was backbreaking. She smiled to herself as she thought of this weekend; Blaise would be coming to see her.
Thinking of Blaise made Eleanor frown slightly, she loved him and she was sure Blaise also felt for her but neither had said anything. There was a darkness that surrounded Blaise. Despite what most of her friends thought of her, Eleanor wasn't completely ignorant nor was she that naïve. She was shy and quiet but she was no fool. Blaise was mysterious and secretive, especially when it came to his family and friends - especially when it came to Draco Malfoy.
Eleanor was part of Dumbledore's Army which Ginny was overseeing. Undoubtedly, Blaise knew of her involvement but had respected her privacy and had not asked her about it. Eleanor had also chosen not to tell him. It was not entirely because she didn't trust him, but she didn't trust his family ties. There were rumours that plagued the Zabinis, that Eleanor was extremely cautious about.
Blaise was everything she wanted in a man, a gentleman, romantic, funny and damn sexy (in her opinion at least). His connection with Draco Malfoy, however, worried her immensely. It was common knowledge of Lucius' connection with the Dark Lord and no doubt his son was to follow in his footsteps. Eleanor did not know if Blaise played a part in the Dark Order, but she knew he'd not put her in harms way. Quite frankly Eleanor thought it best if she didn't know at all, but it nagged at her conscience nonetheless.
Blaise also asked her a lot about Ginny and it worried Eleanor. But it was not in a possessive way and she didn't understand why her boyfriend was so interested in her best friend. Blaise was extremely subtle about it but it had gotten to a point that Eleanor was aware of his interest. There was something about the things he asked, it was as if asking after a loved one, yet not. It irked her sometimes, Blaise was so mysterious…
"I hope Ginny comes to Hogsmeade with us, don't you?" Luna said.
Eleanor grinned, "I do, she's been busy though and we barely see her. She did say Ron was coming to see her as well and we both know she wouldn't pass up that chance for the world!"
"And you're seeing Blaise." Luna said quietly and then burst out laughing causing everyone who was walking up the stairs to jump and turn to stare, though upon seeing that it was Luna, they shrugged and carried on walking. "Mystery those two are, him and Draco," she said between gasps of breath.
Eleanor frowned. "Indeed they are, but they wouldn't be Slytherins otherwise."
Luna shrugged. "They're not all bad, not as bad as they fancy themselves to be anyway. Traditionalists if you ask me."
Eleanor sighed and shook her head in despair. "I sometimes really wonder though, what is the real point of it all?"
"Old blood it is, high lords of the old Magician's Guilds, when we ruled over the Muggles." Luna giggled. "It'll all end completely or start up again soon you know. Ginny and her Malfoy will see to that."
Eleanor stared at Luna and raised an inquisitive eyebrow, "What on earth do you mean, Luna, 'Her Malfoy'? Ginny loathes Malfoy, as he does her, you've got to be blind, deaf and dumb not to know it." Eleanor frowned. What she had just said didn't ring true - Ginny hated Malfoy, but Malfoy had never really directed his hatred to Ginny personally.
Luna shrugged, "Oh you'll see soon enough, born for each other they are, likes her he does."
Eleanor sighed in disbelief, she knew Luna was a sandwich short of a picnic and completely off her rocker, but the things she came out with sometimes, Merlin! She knew better than to question Luna's theories though, it would just befuddle her even further.
*
Draco Apparated into the foyer of Malfoy Manor. It had been two months since Voldemort had "sent" him up to the North of Finland, and this was his first routine visit home. He didn't know if his father would be home, especially as Lucius was still greatly wanted by the Ministry. But the Ministry was nearly overrun by the Dark Order through the subtle use of the Imperious Curse. Blaise's own father was seeing to that. He was not a formal member of the Dark Order but did its bidding nonetheless; he was almost as influential as Lucius had been in the Ministry even though not as affluent. It served its purpose well enough.
Sighing Draco headed towards the west wing of the Manor where his parent's chambers lay. He knew his mother would be in her sitting room, and opening the elegant doors he was met by her, evidently startled. But Draco was also slightly surprised when he saw Snape sitting stiffly on one of the sofas.
Bowing respectfully at Snape, Draco closed the door behind him and strode towards his mother. She looked at him in bewilderment and stood slowly as Draco reached for her extended hand and raised it to his lips. "Mother," he said softly.
"Draco," Narcissa whispered, "You're home!"
Draco smirked. "Indeed I am, mother, it's been a long time," he said in the same soft voice before turning to Snape, "Professor." He nodded.
If Snape was surprised he did not reveal it, instead he nodded, "Draco, I hear you were sent to the North." It was a statement and not a question. Draco daringly met his old mentor's eyes. Snape searched and probed Draco's, while Draco blanked him out. Their lips curled into knowing smiles.
Narcissa looked from her son to his old professor and left the room. "I'll call for tea," she said softly before closing the door behind her.
"So, Draco, I see you have changed your robes," Snape said coolly.
Draco smirked. "You know full well that I have not set foot out of Britain, I was not expecting visitors."
"I see some flaws in your ways of thinking that the Dark Lord evidently overlooked," Snape almost sneered.
Draco nodded. Snape had always been a harsh mentor and never gave praise lightly - except when Slytherins had Potions class with Gryffindors. "I admit that I've faltered, it'll not happen again."
Snape nodded in satisfaction, "The Dark Lord has chosen a second in command, if you haven't already heard, coincidentally on the day you left," he said softly; his eyes bore into Draco's.
"So I've heard," Draco replied impassively. "The Dark Phantom, my father tells me, is a ruthless cold blooded murderer that would rival even aunt Bellatrix."
"I think it's high time you pay Dumbledore a visit, Draco," Snape said softly.
Draco stared back into Snape's cold black eyes. "And I think it is high time you tell me the truth about your loyalty, Sir," he replied, his voice just as soft and his eyes just as piercing and probing as his mentor's.
*
"Drake?"
Draco smirked as he stepped from the fireplace of Zabini Villa and nodded. "Blaise."
Blaise grinned and ushered his friend from the fireplace. "It's been a while."
"It has indeed," Draco sighed before seating himself on the sofa. Blaise strode over to a grand cabinet filled with liquor and poured two glasses of Italian Dark wizard wine.
Draco nodded as he took his glass. "I see you stick to the same fine Italian wine over the French, Blaise."
Blaise nodded, "Aye, I'd offer you nothing than the best, Drake. The French Dark is pitiful compared to this."
"Indeed." Draco grinned. "And it would have nothing to do with your own Italian heritage?" Blaise grinned . "So… how fares my old friend since graduation?" Draco asked somewhat bitterly.
"Well enough, my father insisted I study International Law. 'Tis tedious to say the least. And you, if I dare ask?"
"You do dare, but it would be unwise to indulge in my affairs, rest assured all's well." Draco grimaced, "I'm here to ask-"
"After your Weaslette," Blaise finished the sentence. "Aye, she's well enough though Eleanor tells me she's withdrawn herself somewhat. She puts it down to the absence of the Weasley King, but I think you and I know better. I see that old loves die hard in you, Drake." Draco's face darkened and Blaise grinned.
Draco nodded slowly, his face pensive though still had an air of indifference. Draining his glass Draco sighed, "Old lies die harder, Blaise. I visit Hogwarts tomorrow."
Blaise regarded Draco with a raised eyebrow. "I take it that 'tis best I don't ask your reasons."
Draco smirked. "Indeed it would be best, though I just need to visit Snape to discuss certain matters."
"Eleanor is becoming suspicious of my questions regarding your Weaslette, Drake. She's not as naïve as she seems."
Draco nodded thoughtfully, "Perhaps its best if you stop. I'll have my own ways of watching her, though I doubt it is important now," he said impassively, "I wait her graduation."
Blaise nodded and sighed as they fell into an all too familiar brooding silence.
"What happens then, Drake?" Blaise muttered.
Draco sighed. "The war has started, Blaise, but the real battles are yet to be fought… I don't know what the Dark Lord's plans are yet…"
"Drake, where do ye stand in this?" Blaise asked quietly, his eyes stared seriously at Draco who met his friend's gaze unwavering.
"You know the answer to that, Blaise, and for your sake I'll not answer that question. You have my word that Eleanor will be safe. I swear on the Weaslette's life," Draco said coolly.
Blaise sighed and nodded, "You sacrifice a lot for a wee lass who loathes you, Drake."
Draco chuckled. "You should know better than that, Blaise, I don't sacrifice without knowing I will gain from it."
Blaise rose an inquisitive eyebrow. "What can you gain from her, Drake? Eleanor assures me that your little Ginevra fumes at the mention of your name."
"I want nothing from her." Draco said darkly, "She has nothing to offer that I want, and that is the truth."
Blaise shook his head in resignation, there was no point arguing, his friend was deceiving himself. "Ye feel for her Drake, may it be hatred or even love, you feel for her passionately and ye feel for her deeply, and I warn you, no good will come from this."
Draco didn't answer; instead he stared stonily into the unlit fireplace.