Dark nights, Darker Knights

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2. Burning into Ashes

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As William claimed his fortune, in different part of the wizarding London, another young man sat on a beautifully designed window pane looking out into what could only be a described as sight of wonder. The Malfoy Manor was surrounded by austere, blank beauty-the small quiet lake, the vibrant garden with unknown flowers and the strikingly violent forms of architecture in between.

When he was a little boy he would love to play in the gardens and 'accidently' fall into the lake giving Narcissa a serious fright. He loved to play with his mother very much.

But Draco Malfoy wasn't little anymore. And all the beauty of his home that he once enjoyed ceased to matter now.

There was a 'pop' sound which seemed to amplify itself between the stark silence.

"Master Draco!" squeaked his elf "Mistress sent Holly to get Master for dinner"

Slumping further against the window, Draco continued to look into the blackness of the night. He wore black pants, black button down shirt and black shoes, all of it horribly contrasting his abnormally pale skin and platinum hair. He moved his hand to show one of his father's ridiculously expensive bottles of wine and took a long gulp.

"Am not hungry. Tell her not to wait." his voice low said, without any stress on any syllable.

The little elf looked at her Master with concern. Hesitantly, knowing Draco since he was a child, she approached him, "Master has not eaten a proper meal in five days."

Draco didn't respond. He took another gulp.

"M..Master has only been drinking. Holly is worried."

"Just do as I told you" was his reply.

The elf sighed in defeat. Just as she was about to leave, Draco's low voice spoke again "After they finish, Holly, bring me whatever you like."

The elf nodded enthusiastically even though Draco was still looking outside and not at her.

There was a creepy wolfish sound that echoed through the forest next to the Manor. Draco closed his eyes, his head leaning backwards and his mind following the scary rhythm of the animal cry. He shifted both his legs, bent at the knees, to rest completely against the window. A light shove and he would've fallen from a height that rivaled five floors. Just as he was about to bring the bottle to his lips to drink the remnant wine in one go, in hopes of avoiding reality for yet another night, a fluttering sound blew through the winds. He opened his eyes to meet the sight of an owl whose owner he knew only too well.

The writing was meticulous and curvy unlike his sharp and neat strokes.

Draco,

One week from now. Dinner.

~Hermione

P.S- I read somewhere that too much Finhert's, Moltakk's or Tegan Wel's wine causes wizards to get paler. I don't reckon it would be a pleasant sight to see 'you' any paler.

P.P.S- Alright fine. I lied. I read no such thing. But for the love of Godric or Salazar if you prefer, would you let go of the wine spree, already! Honestly!

Draco smirked. His eyes seem to get a little color if only for a minute. Resting the bottle on the window pane, he got up and took a parchment with the Malfoy seal.

Princess,

Did you know, you being in control and ordering me about our dinner dates, is such a turn on? So, yes I accept to go on a date with you….along with the rest of the Order.

~D.M

P.S- Relax, woman! Fine! I won't finish this bottle. Happy? You're such a nerd, Granger. Am going to get you sloshed one day and then you'll know.

He saw the retreating form of Hermione's owl. The Order meeting. Yes. That is what he was fighting for.

The winds still blew harshly in the cold black sky. Taking the bottle of wine that cost more than 6 months worth salary of a Ministry employee, he moved his hand up towards the sky looking into the same darkness through the metallic color of the liquid. A second later he stretched his palm open to let the bottle fall and crash into pieces…the sound reverberating in sync with the wolf cry.

But little did Draco know, that the letter he just sent, wouldn't reach its destination. Because when he was writing the letter to Hermione, her house was being attacked and destroyed.

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X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X

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.*Earlier that day. In the morning*

Prof. Albus Dumbledore was not a man to be taken off guard easily. Very rarely would he be surprised. The letter he just received was one those rarities. To say he was taken aback, was putting it mildly.

Prof. Albus Dumbledore

My name is William Black. I am the son of Sirius and Isadora Black. As shocking as this may seem, it is true. I believe that my parents trusted you and the Order of Phoenix which I hope to be a part of. It is in this regard that I would like to meet you. I am staying in the Leaky Cauldron under the name Leonard Adams. Please reply at the earliest. I can't remain here for too long.

~William Sirius Caelum Leonard Black

Dumbledore sat in his chair at Hogwarts looking outside the window. This letter wasn't a hoax or a ploy. It was a crucial turning point. He was certain of it.

There was a sound of shuffled footsteps and the gargoyle turning. Mcgonagall and Snape entered hurriedly.

Dumbledore looked at the two of them and silently slid the letter across the table.

"This is…" Snape began, his face open with astonishment.

"Unexpected but brilliant" completed Dumbledore. He got up from his chair and walked towards the window looking at the beautiful grounds of Hogwarts. His eyes twinkled as always.

"Are you sure about this, Albus?" asked Minerva.

"Oh yes, Minerva. If you go to the headquarters now, Kreacher may no longer answer to you. The boy must've gone to Gringotts and claimed his heritage. I will meet the boy tomorrow and get him to Grimmauld place. Am not sure if he knows but there are definite possibilities that Tom may already know about this. Severus, Tom will ask you about the youngest Black. I assume you know what I have in mind?" he asked, looking at Snape with the same serious yet calm look.

Snape nodded with the look of astonishment still deeply etched on his face.

"Albus, if he's Sirius' son then… he couldn't possibly be old enough. It is not safe for the boy"

"He will not be alone, Minerva. Rest assured, he will be accompanied"

There was a sudden gasp and the two in conversation turned towards Snape to see him holding his arm hard, gasping in pain. The Dark Mark.

"Go, Severus. You know what to do. Tell no one else. We'll discuss it at the headquarters one week from now."

Snape nodded, still clutching his throbbing arm. He turned around in a sharp movement and left the office; his black robe swishing dramatically signaling his exit.

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X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X

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William looked at himself in the mirror. He needed to shave and get a haircut. But that would have to wait. Putting on a simple black muggle t-shirt over dark denims he gathered the remaining, scattered things and stuffed them in the suitcase. He wouldn't be staying here much longer.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" he said, moving his hand to the wand in his back pocket, just in case.

"Albus Dumbledore" came a quiet voice.

He opened the door and pointed the wand at the Headmaster. "How do I know, its really Prof Albus Dumbledore?."

His voice was low almost conversational, yet sharp and demanding.

Dumbledore smiled. He lowered his head and peered through the half moon glasses to look at the young man. Moving his hand to the pointed wand, he casually slid it away and said, "If I didn't know any better, William, I would've vouched it was young Sirius pointing his wand at me, after I caught him one night outside the Hogwarts kitchen with James, both of whom were apparently protecting the kitchen elves from Death Eaters and wanted to know if I was a disguised one."

Dumbledore had conveniently invited himself through the door during this narration and gotten comfortable on the chair.

William's stoic face cracked from its usual strained demeanor and his lips twitched into the ghost of an almost smile. He felt something in his heart…perhaps pride, at being observed as a replica of his father.

"Dad did that?" he asked, keeping his voice impassive and indifferent. His eyes, however betrayed the intention. They were brilliant, alive, and curious with an almost childlike excitement, wanting to know such seemingly irrelevant things about the one man who meant the most to him.

"Oh Yes. Of course I told them I wasn't a Death Eater after which the three of us proceeded to have a small chocolate fudge party at 2 am in the morning. It was quiet an enlightening chat for me. Young men have a queer way of thinking." said Dumbledore with knowing smile, looking at him intently.

This brought William back to reality. He made a coughing sound and sat across the table.

"I believe this is for me" said Dumbledore taking the bottle of firewhiskey on the table and pouring it into two expensive glasses nearby, that couldn't possibly belong to the Leaky Cauldron.

"I enjoy muggle drinks most of the time. They have a peculiar, naughty taste in them. But once in a while, its rejuvenating to have something that reaches straight to my head", he continued.

William looked at Dumbledore with an open look of uncertainty. The Headmaster's nonchalance and irrelevance was…unexpected and unfitting. Shouldn't he be shocked? Untrusting? Shouldn't he have pointed his wand at him and demanded him to prove that he was his father's son.

"You didn't even know mom and dad got married. They didn't tell anyone. Only three people knew they had me, two of which are dead and the third one thinks am dead. How do you know that I am…well…me?" William blurted out in one breath.

"I am a very old man, William. If you pardon my displaced modesty, I would like to say that I can tell, more often than not, when a man if lying."

"What do you mean?" asked William in a sharp accusatory tone belonging only to vulgarly unconcerned aristocrats who are innocently indifferent to courtesies.

"How can you know?" he continued in the same voice. "You couldn't have me followed because no one knows Sirius Black had a son. I've been very careful for the past three weeks. Are you…" he began with a bored yet mildly offended tone, "are you reading my thoughts? Because that would be ridiculous and impossible. Pardon my displaced modesty here…or rather don't pardon it, I barely care…I am the Master of Occlumency. My own teacher couldn't break through my walls. So even if you…"

"I don't doubt it, in the slightest. You look like a trained warrior. It isn't your mind that am reading, William; it is your integrity" said Dumbledore with a soft, almost affectionate look.

William's face lost its accusatory look to be replaced with an expression of blankness…almost in acceptance and surrender. He lowered his unblinking eyes for a moment before looking back at the Professor with a look of resumed composure, not pressing the issue further. He knew there was nothing more to it.

Dumbledore sat across the table absolutely relaxed, silently and secretly observing the young Black. He had a severely closed persona, Dumbledore noticed. Guarded and hidden well…too well. Yes, he would do for the task the Professor had in mind.

"So, what can this old Headmaster do for you?"

"Isn't it much too obvious? I want to join the Order and fight Riddle" said William without missing a beat.

His choice of reference to the Dark Lord wasn't lost to Dumbledore.

"It isn't obvious, William"

"But it is, isn't it?" He replied rhetorically. "I was born to be a part of this war. I just have to find my place in it"

"You aren't born to be entitled to anything except that what you chose to be entitled to. The war is not your compulsion. You have a choice. You can go back to living as you have been till now. No one will know. I give you my word."

He didn't say anything. There was no hint of strictness or restrain left in his steely eyes. He was looking at Dumbledore but his mind was viewing images not present in the room.

"Your skill and strength can save so many innocent lives, Will" a teacher had said to him

"What your parents started, you must end." "You have the makings of an exceptional human being, darling" an old lady had said to him on her death bed.

"You are my little man, sweetheart. The world needs you" the beautiful voice of his mother echoed through the image of his four year old self.

"Show the world what a matter of pride it is to be a Black…a True Black. You have to live, my beloved son…live the right way" the etched words of his father flashed in front of his eyes.

The restrain in his eyes returned. The composure that left him for a minute graced his dangerously beautiful face again. The steely gray orbs were alive with fire once more.

"I will be in this War. It is my choice."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes"

A minute passed, of absolute silence. The occupants looked at each other in acceptance, in understanding…in the way of a salute of one man about to greet the other into his world.

"William Sirius Caelum Leonard Black, I welcome you to the Order of Phoenix." Said Dumbledore in an even tone but the voice held the spirit of a Commander conferring an honor upon a Warrior.

Gazing through his glasses, his eyes holding the amusement once again, he added, "I daresay we've sorely been missing the presence of a Black."

William smirked and then for the first time in days his face broke into a dazzling smile. He picked up the glass in front of him, clinked it with the Headmaster's who understood and returned his sentiment only too well and drank the firewhiskey in one shot; the liquid searing his throat.

And with that, William Black sealed his fate.

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X.X.X.X

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The Granger residence resembled the house of the Dursleys except that it was a bigger and cleaner. But now of course that fact couldn't be stated for in front of them was the sight of house broken in shambles. There was still a small amount of fire in a corner, subduing itself after charring half the section. The house looked ready to fall down and crumble into pieces. And so did its only living survivor.

She stood there watching. Not uttering a word. Not letting a tear roll down. Her mind was still in the process to convince her heart that her eyes were not lying.

Hermione stood in front of her broken house that was shattering in flames; the dead bodies of her parents somewhere inside.

They had been attacked, by Death Eaters. She fought them…drove them away. But not before they destroyed her house, her parents, her whole life…

She couldn't save them. They were dead and she couldn't save them.

She thought to seek help but faltered for a minute. Harry and Ron were in Romania on a mission. Draco was in the Malfoy Manor. It was dangerous for any one of them to suddenly leave their stations and come to her.

No, she couldn't call them.

Hermione raised her wand and cast her patronus. In less than 5 minutes Remus, Mr. Weasley, Kingsley, Tonks and half a dozen order members arrived.

Everyone looked at the scene; their hearts and minds taking a deep plunge.

The house was in shambles, completely down to rubble. Huge clouds of smoke loomed over and the fire still burning, still destroying whatever little was left.

It was a horrible, terrible sight. There seemed no possibilities of any survivors except for the girl who stood rigid, tall and unmoving. There were severe burns all over her body and her clothes were tattered and black. Her face was greasy and raw and her hands bled; her fists clutching her wand in a death grip.

She must've put up a valiant fight.

No one dared approach her. What would they say...? What could they do…?

Finally, Remus moved and put his hands on her shoulders to let her know she wasn't alone.

"I sent a message to Dumbledore at Hogwarts. He'll be here any…"

"It's not over" her raspy voiced said.

Remus looked surprised. "What's not over? You're shivering, Hermione. I think we should go back to the headquarters."

"They're still here, Remus!" she yelled, breaking free and taking a defense stance.

"All of them didn't leave."

Remus looked confused but alert. He signaled others to follow suit and prepare for attack.

They didn't have to wait long.

A small red dot shot up in the sky and seemed to be travelling towards them. It looked beautiful like a shooting star; beautiful and terrible. In the next flash that dot zoomed past them and blasted the ground.

All hell broke loose.

Dark hooded figures seem to emerge from almost every corner. Ghost-like black features flew through skies. Dementors.

They were easily outnumbered.

It was a dangerous attack especially since they were in a muggle neighborhood. The Dementors only making it more difficult. Twice Remus almost reached in time to cast a patronus before a Dementor could perform the kiss on his fellow comrade.

It was in the middle of this fight that Dumbledore appeared with McGonagall and William. They had been in Hogwarts when Dumbledore got the message. William said that he would go too. Minerva, as expected strongly disapproved but Dumbledore, as expected, let William come along with them provided he disguised himself completely and covered his face. It was important that no one recognized him.

William had already started muttering spells, as he took his wand out. The power of his wandless magic was as brutal, if not more, as the magic issued by his wand. In a few seconds, he caused a shift in the attack, weakening their side.

He was too busy warding away Death Eaters who were trying to attack a brown haired girl- five against one- that he did not realize the Dementor looming over his head. He was caught off guard. A little amount of terror crept in his mind. The patronus charm was perhaps the only charm that he couldn't perform; not for the lack of skill but for the lack of resource. He didn't seem to have a happy memory strong enough.

The Demeter was getting closer. William aimed his wand at it, raising his arm higher. His robes were burnt and the shirt beneath it tattered. He could see the lines of the tattoos on his arm… one design in particular which he had deemed to be a sign of evil.

And suddenly, in the middle of an attack against the dark lord's followers, Williams mind ran miles away from here, reaching to a desolate place in a muggle racer's ground. He was looking at the dementer but his eyes held the image of an enchanting girl with electric blue eyes and long black hair. He could almost feel her soft lips and small fingers… the warmth of her body when she sat pressed behind him as he rode through the winds… her kiss tingled his senses…

"you're not evil, silly" her soft voice echoed in his head.

When his mouth pronounced the charm he thought of a single image… a sensation…a feeling he had felt while hugging her close to him. Her small body in his strong arms… her head resting so comfortably in his neck. The feeling was so unlike any other he'd ever felt- it was calm and simple and serene. It was the closest thing to being 'happy' .

A silver wisp of light emerged from wand but this time instead of a hazy mist and undefined figure which was only half powerful, his patronus showed a massive dog-like creature running ferociously, throwing the Dementors away.

He had cast his first corporeal patronus. Ree his mind whispered…

But there wasn't any time to dwell on that. The brown haired girl was fighting with two Death Eaters when the Dementor glided towards her. William disarmed one Death Eater and cast the patronus again. He ran towards the girl and pulled her to the ground, saving her from being hit by a crucio.

"Are you ok?"

She looked at him dazed and shocked. Her eyes were red and she was badly burnt. She nodded. Her eyes were blinking weakly. She was losing consciousness.

He needed to get her out.

Mcgonagall rushed towards them. "We must retreat. There's nothing left to fight for. Her parents are dead. Take her back to the headquarter."

"Headquarters?"

"Just think of going home, boy. And apparate her along." She said. When Will looked up again, he saw no woman there only a tabby cat running away.

The whole place was burning out. muggles were staring. The aurors were having a hard time modifying the memories of so many people at once.

William closed his eyes and tried to picture home. It was hard. He never really had one. Except when he was little, with his mother. He thought of his mother…her long straight blonde hair. He thought of his father…a father he'd never met but had always known. He pictured them together, smiling at him… He pictured himself with them. If they'd been alive, he would've had a home.

There was a familiar pull in his stomach and he found his body being squeezed hard. He held the girl in his arms, tightly till felt solid ground beneath his feet.

There was a door. No bell. A small sign said '32'.

"Quick! Lay her on the couch. Careful" Mcgonagall said.

A plump lady with a white apron suddenly appeared. She began casting spells and incantations on the girl while Will stood next to the sofa.

It was only a second later that he realized the number of eyes that were staring at him.

Ah ! of course.

His disguise had vanished. He took off his robe and stood in black denims and a black t-shirt which was torn in places, waiting for Dumbledore to begin the little chit chat.

A man stepped forward. He was staring at Will with utmost astonishment. He looks familiar, he thought. Will thought that, that man looked familiar too. Will had seen a younger version of the man in his parent's wedding album.

Remus thought his eyes were playing games with him. Maybe a spell must've hit him hard. It couldn't be. This young man here looked like… no. How could that be possible? But the boy had the same hair, the same structure and even the same touch of arrogance in his face.

"Sirius!" Remus whispered, unable to control his thoughts any longer.

"Not quite, Remus. But close enough" Dumbledore's voice said from behind them

"Who is this boy?"

"Don't you recognize him, Remus? Surely, Sirius and Isadora invited you to their wedding"

There was a long minute of absolute silence. No one spoke

"Will" Remus exclaimed, stumped. He walked closer to the boy, not believing.

"But I thought you were…"

"Dead? I know. But am still alive, Uncle Remus"

Uncle. A simple word held so much meaning. This boy here stood here, looking like a true Black, and claimed to be the son of his best friend…the son of the man, Remus considered as his brother.

"How?" Remus' voice sounded almost distressed.

"We shall get to that in a little while, Remus. Be assured. For now, we must all devote our minds to Miss Granger."

Remus instantly felt guilty for momentarily forgetting about Hermione.

"How is she doing Poppy?" asked Dumbledore.

"She's having severe burns. Some running very deep. She'll heal but it will take some time. She'll have to rest, which I believe is very difficult for Miss Granger to do."

"We'll see that she does. Tonks, send a message to Draco tomorrow morning"

"Professor, it might be too dangerous for him to get out from the manor so suddenly."

"Draco will manage. Send Fawkes to him."

"Albus" Madam Pomfrey said, looking at Hermione. "She saw her own parents being murdered. It's a terrible thing for any child to witness."

"Yes. It is terrible, indeed." said Dumbledore solemnly. "William?"

"Yes, Sir?"

"I trust you will stay with Miss Granger."

"I…Professor…uhm… how… what ?" he asked, wondering what he was suppose to do to with an unknown girl who had just lost her parents.

"Just stay with her. Don't worry. Mr. Malfoy will be here, soon enough."

"You mean, Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes. I mean your cousin."

William nodded and sat on the chair next to Hermione.

After some discussions in the background, all the members began to get back to their respective stations, positions and assignments leaving William and an unconscious Hermione to rest in silence.

He picked her up with extreme caution and placed her in the nearest bedroom. Having no other set of clothes, he took off his boots, belt and shirt and went to the couch on the opposite end. The couch was small and uncomfortable. He took a chair to rest his legs on and tried to get some sleep.

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X.X.X.X

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'No ! stop it ! Dad ! no… get away from him… please.. Mom !"

Her screams woke him up. She was having a nightmare.

Hermione was thrashing in bed, screaming. Her eyes closed but tears pouring out.

William quickly got to her side and. He put on hand on her heated, wet cheek and other hand, trying to calm her moving hands, down.

"Hermione" he called out. "It's only a nightmare. Wake up"

She sat up fell into his arms, sobbing hard. He wasn't sure if she was awake but he didn't dare move. William had never comforted a crying girl, let alone a girl who was weighed down by so much grief.

He stroked her hair and back carefully and waited for her to calm down. After long minutes, her sobs subsided and she lay limp in his arms.

Hermione pulled away to look at the stranger comforting her.

"You look like Sirius" she blurted out, plainly.

William wiped her tear stained cheeks with his fingers and said softly, "that's because he's my father."

"Your father?"

"Yes"

"How"

"how? Surely, you know how a man becomes a father. You look old enough to know"

"That's not what I meant" she said, her voice still raw and raspy but her face began to get a little color back.

"I didn't know Sirius had a son"

"No one knew"

"How"

"look, I'll tell everything later. You need to rest now."

That brought her back to reality.

She bit back a sob. No. She wouldn't cry. She didn't have the right to feel sad. It was her fault. All her fault. Her mom..dad… were dead !

"Hermione!" Will said, cupping her face in his hands and looking at her.

"It's going to hurt you. Really bad. For a very long time. Don't fight it. Don't even accept it. Just watch it, as it comes and deal with it"

"What's your name?"

"William"

She looked at him. He looked so honest and real. He didn't tell her that it would be okay or that he understood. He told her the truth. It made her want to believe him.

His eyes were so stormy and gray. They reminded her of…

"Draco" she whispered aloud, without meaning too.

"Your boyfriend will be here tomorrow."

"He's not my boyfriend" she blushed, instantly. "what do you mean, tomorrow? He can't get out of the manor like that! Has everyone gone mad! Its ridic.." She was already attempting to get up and write a letter to Draco but a sharp pain burned in various parts of her body and she screamed, collapsing in William's arms.

"Would you hold still, woman!" He adjusted her so she could lay more comfortably on the bed. "Dumbledore gave the order so am guessing its safe for him to come"

"You're his cousin"

"Yes"

"This is so weird."

"Tell me about it"

"I don't feel sleepy anymore."

"You should eat"

"What?"

"Come on. Let's get you something to eat."

"What? I'm not hungry. I don't want fo.."

He was already picking her up and heading to the kitchen. Dumping her on the couch, he made them a sandwich. The two of them sat and talked for the rest of the night. Sometime, before dawn, their exhaustion overtook and they fell asleep; Hermione dressed in shorts and a tank top, laying over William who was only wearing denim pants.

And that is how Draco Malfoy found them.

Draco wanted to commit murder. He wanted to kill that guy on whose chest, Hermione's small hands lay.

"What the fuck is going on here" he yelled without realizing that Hermione probably needed her rest.

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at Draco's enraged form.

"Draco?" she whispered.

William groaned. "What the fuck !" he muttered. He finally managed to get to sleep and some tosser was yelling. Great !

"Who the fuck is this ?" Draco continued, in a loud voice.

"Would you shut up, people are trying to sleep here" Will said, irritably.

Seriously, what was the deal with this blond guy. Oh wait… William suddenly realized who this was. Well, well…

Hermione clambered off Will and quickly got to Draco's side, who brought her closer to him by her waist. "Draco!" she warned, when she saw him drawing out his wand. He had a death grip on her waist and pulled her still closer.

William smirked.

Draco growled. Only he was allowed to smirk.

"Draco !" Hermione hit his chest. "Stop behaving like a kid"

"I'm being a kid? Honestly, Granger ! You owe me a fucking explanation as to why I come here to find you cuddling with this shirtless excuse for a tosser"

"Now now, is that the way to great your long lost cousin, Draco?" William said in a smug voice.

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X.X.X.X

Hold me close… it hurts so much

Burning into ashes… at the single touch

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AN: Please review. It would mean a lot to know what you think

Next chapter: Closer look at Draco and Hermione

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X.X.X