marysuevirus | Chapter 7 - Charming (Reply)

*wallow, wallow, wallow...*

Title: The Mary Sue Virus
Chapter Title: Charming
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: 18+
Warnings: Graphic Sexual situations, Oral, Angst
Disclaimer: The recognizable characters in this work of fiction and the world it is set in are the property of J.K Rowling and Warner Bros. Pictures. The original characters are the property of Dazzledfirestar, Nanaea, Madapple and Polywolly, and are not to be used without the permission of those individuals. I am not making any money from this and it is purely a flight of fancy for the purpose of entertainment only.

“Well, that was a bust.” Rowena dropped her books on a table in the library. Azalea nodded and dropped her bag onto the floor, and then dropped herself in a nearby chair. “What were the chances that Trelawney would tell you that you will have a run-in with the love of your life tonight?”

“Slim to none.” Azalea rubbed her temple, trying to get the memory of Divination out of her head. “I wonder if the others found anything out.” As if on cue, Hyacinth and Issobell entered the library carrying what looked like several photo albums. “Guess they did.”

Issobell dropped one of the heavier books on the table in front of Azalea, and started flipping pages. She eventually found what she was looking for and struck the page with her finger. “There! We found this under your bed.” They all stretched to look at the picture. It showed two young men on a quidditch pitch. One was Oliver, the other looked suspiciously like he could have been related to Azalea. “Apparently, you have a brother playing chaser for Puddlemere United. We figure that’s how you and Mr. Wood met.” Azalea nodded. That made sense.

“And, well, there’s this.” Hyacinth set a small but heavy metal box on the table in front of Azalea. They couldn’t see a lock of any kind on it. “We couldn’t get it open.” Azalea reached out for the box and it popped open. There were several pictures, and papers inside, but she hesitated reaching in. “What’s wrong?”

“I… I don’t know. I guess it’s just nerves.” She laughed dryly. Before she could reach in, the girls heard a ruckus heading in their direction. Azalea just managed to close the box and shove it into her bag before Draco, flanked of course by Crabbe and Goyle came strutting around a corner. “Beating up first years again, Malfoy?” Azalea rolled her eyes.

“They were in my way. And besides, they were Gryffindors. It’s not like it matters.” Azalea managed to hide the flush that came across her cheeks at the mention of Gryffindor.

“What do you want, Draco?” Rowena looked up from one of the other photo albums.

He took his time answering, giving her a very appreciative look from head to toe. “Wouldn’t you like to know.” He smirked and led his pack away from the girls. Rowena couldn’t be sure but she thought he’d winked at her.

“Maybe this isn’t the best place to open that.” Issobell put a supportive hand on Azalea’s shoulder.

“Yeah,” Azalea sighed. “You guys wouldn’t mind if…”

“Go to the dorm room. It’s probably you’re best bet if you want to be alone.” Hyacinth put a hand on Azalea’s other shoulder, and smiled. Azalea got up, leaving the photo albums and carrying her now extremely heavy bag back to her room. She sat on the bed for a moment, before pulling out the box and opening it. Most of the pictures seemed to be from the summer before this school year. Most were innocent enough, group pictures, friends, sight seeing, though even in those she and Oliver always seemed to be right beside each other, and in more cases than not, he had an arm around her. She flipped through those quickly and reached what looked like a separate trip. Paris, maybe… but the moving figures in the photos left no doubt in her mind that, at least for that summer, they had been very close.

She sighed and threw the pictures down onto the bed beside her and began pulling out the few pieces of parchment in the box. One was a program from a quidditch match, and there were other bits of paper, that obviously meant something, but she couldn’t quite put the pieces together. Finally, at the bottom of the box she found an envelope addressed to her. She hesitated, feeling as if she was snooping through someone else’s life. She frowned and shook her head. No, this was all hers, whether it was real or not, it was hers. She pulled the letter from the envelope and began to read. Again, most of it was innocent enough, and she did learn that her brother, Alec, seemed to know something of what was going on, and would tease Oliver about her on a regular basis. That’s when she hit the jackpot.

I know he’s kidding, but sometimes I have to wonder if, maybe, he’s right. Between your schooling, and me playing quidditch when will I ever be able to do the things I want to with you? And, there is the age thing. I know I said it doesn’t bother me, and you do graduate in less than a year, but who is to say that in that time, you’ll still feel the same. All of this makes me feel better about what happened, or rather, didn’t happen in Paris.

She looked back at the stack of pictures. So that must be the ‘nothing’ she had mentioned in the closet. A bit of the story, was starting to come together.

I love you, and believe me when I say nothing would have made me happier that night than making love to you. But I think it’s for the best, ending it now. Besides, how good could a Gryffindor and a Slytherin really be together? I can’t stand the idea of hurting you. I’m sorry.

She set the letter back in the box, and started to pile the pictures and other papers back in as well when she heard something rattle inside. She pulled everything out again and shifted the box, noticing for the first time, there was a false bottom to it. She struggled with it for a minute or two, but finally managed to open it. A bracelet sat in the tiny compartment. It was silver with a small charm hanging from it. The charm caught the light as she pulled it out. Before she had a chance to look at it, there was a knock on the door.

“Can we come in?” Rowena’s voice floated through the heavy wood door.

“Yeah, sure.” The door opened and the girls came in.

“Well?” Hyacinth hesitantly questioned.

Azalea frowned slightly and handed the stacks of photos and the letter to her friends. While they sifted through it all, she examined the charm. When she had finally gotten a good look at it she gasped. “Son of a bitch!” She dropped it onto the bed so the others could see it. It was mostly gold at first glance, but there seemed to be some silver, and a few jewels, rubies and emeralds.

Issobell picked it up and looked closely at it. “Yikes.” It was in the form of a lion, and a silver serpent. “Well…” She looked at Azalea who seemed to be unable to stop staring at the charm. “This ought to make quidditch practice far more interesting.”