| Girl on Fire |

16

VERONICA MALFOY

The second our feet hit the ground in the school, Draco slammed Mattheo against the wall. "You marked my sister?" he yelled. Mattheo pushed him off. "Of course I marked her. You really thought I wouldn't?" he said calmly. "I would've hoped you had some common sense." he snapped. "Please, we both know that will keep her safer than anything else." he said. Draco scoffed. I stood between them. "Can some please explain what the bloody mark is?" I said. "It's like I said. It's a mark specifically tied to me. It shows that you're under my protection." Mattheo said. "Why is that bad?" I asked Draco. "Because it's dark magic." Draco said glaring at Mattheo. " Don't be so naive. You know what's coming. Would you rather her have a bit of dark magic or be in danger?" Mattheo asked. "What about none of the above? I've kept her safe for 15 years. I think I can handle it." Draco said. "Hey" I said. "Really? From what I saw you were tied up on the floor while your pathetic father carved into Veronica. But no, you had everything under control right?" he spat sarcastically. "Guys" I said louder. "Don't fucking start. The only reason you have any power at all is because of your father. And it's all dark magic so I don't want to hear shit from you." Draco said. "Hey!" I said again. They still ignored me.  "The point is if someone tries anything, and they see it, hopefully they'll have enough common sense to recognize a mark like that and they'll back off." he said. "Or they'll recognize it as the Dark Lords son's protection mark and they'll take her." Draco said. "The whole point of the mark is I can find her if she's in danger." Mattheo said. "Guys can you-" I started. "Well what if you're too late?" Draco said. "I won't be. She's under my protection and that's final." Mattheo said. "Unlike ke my father and everyone else in your life, I don't have the dark mark. Which means I don't serve you and you can't order me around." he said. "Not yet. I may not have picked but we both know who I'm going to choose." Mattheo said. "And I said that's fine. But in the end she's my sister and what I say-" he started. "Hey!" I screamed. They both looked at me with startled looks on their faces. "I'm standing right here. Stop talking about me as if I'm not." I said. "We just-" Draco started. "Want to make decisions for me but no. I'm done with this fucking bullshit. I'm done being ordered around. I'm done being abused by father and Marcus and every other fucking man who thinks women are property. Mattheo, you may have marked me but you don't own me and I can protect myself. Are we in agreement?" I said. Draco smiled. "Yes Ronnie, we're clear." he said. I nodded. "Good. Now I'm going back to my dorm. And don't follow me, I have my wand and if I feel the need to use it I will. Got it?" I said. They nodded. "I would like words so I know you're actually listening." I said. "Yes, I got it." Draco said. "Yeah, yeah I got it." Mattheo said. I turned on my heel and started to walk away. I listened to them as I walked off. "What the hell was that?" Mattheo said. "I think she finally realized her worth. You know what, thanks for marking her. I guess a little dark magic was just what she needed to realize that she is way better than she thought." Draco said. I smirked as their words faded. I went into my dorm and into the bathroom. I took off my shirt and looked at the carving in my skin. I can't go to Madame Pomfrey with this, too many questions. I don't want to tell any of my friends. I buttoned the bloody shirt back up and snuck down to Snape's classroom. I knocked on the door and then I walked in. He didn't look surprised to see me. "What did he do?" he said. I walked over and pulled down my shirt so you could just see the wound. I could see the hatred in his eyes. "If it makes you feel any better, it was supposed to be Marcus's entire name. He was... shall we say? Interrupted." I said. "Yes, I'm sure. Mattheo didn't seem pleased to find out where you were." he said. He dabbed some potion onto a rag and held it on the wound. "So it was you who told him?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "Yes Veronica, it was me." he sighed. I chuckled. "I always knew I was your favorite." I teased. He rolled his eyes. "Did you know he marked me?" I asked. His eyes widened. "He marked you? Are you sure?" he asked. I tilted my head to the side and moved my hair. "Pretty sure. Draco and him just argued over it for like 10 minutes. Draco is just being over dramatic" I said. "Veronica, do you know what this means?" he asked. "Yes, it means I'm under Mattheo's protection. I know it's dark magic but let's be honest here Snape, you have the mark and you are just fine." I said. "Is that all you know?" he asked. I narrowed my eyes. "What else is there?" I said. "Do you understand why Mattheo get that ability? To mark someone. Not all wizards have it. Only dark wizards can do this and they can only do it to one person." he said. "So he chose me?" I said. I was rather surprised. "Why me?" I asked. Snape was silent. "Tell me." I said. "Veronica, I don't think you want to know this yet." he said. "Just tell me!" I said. "No. It's not for me to tell. Ask Mr. Riddle. If he chooses to tell you, then you will know." he said. "What if he doesn't?" I asked. "Then trust it's for a good reason." he said. "Ugh, no offense but you are annoyingly cryptic sometimes." I said. He rolled his eyes again. "Why don't you get back to your dorm? You seem a bit tired." he said. "Do I?" I snapped. "Maybe it's because I just got out of the hospital. Then I went to my fathers house where he carved a letter into me and then I had to argue with Mattheo and Draco for 15 minutes. Or maybe I'm tired of everyone treating me like I'm something to own or use. Maybe I'm tired of men abusing me. Maybe I'm tired of not being able to defend myself. Maybe I'm tired of Draco treating me like I'm broken even though we both know he's just as fucked up as I am. Maybe I'm tired of the secrets. Maybe I'm tired of worrying about Mattheo and what his father is doing to him. Or maybe why he is here. Maybe I'm just tired!" I yelled. I sunk into a chair and buried my face in my palms. "Fuck" I sighed. Snape sat down across from me. "You're not broken Veronica. Neither is Draco." he said. "I don't know." I said. Snape sighed. "Remember that one time you were at the house and Draco was playing the piano. I remember the look on your face. He was amazing at it wasn't he?" I asked. Snape nodded. "Did you know he doesn't play anymore? My dad said music is for girls. He caught him playing one day and broke his hands. He hasn't touched the keys since." I said. A tear fell down my cheek. " My father ruined him. He ruined both of us." I said.  "I know it seems like it but that's only true if you let it be true." he said. I kept thinking. My mind played over tonight's events. Then I remembered something strange. "Have you talked to my parents recently? I mean besides the other thing." I said. He paused. "Um, occasionally. You father likes reports on you two." he said. "And my mother?" I asked. "What do you mean?" he said. "Well if something were happening or going to happen, would she tell you?" I asked. "Veronica?" he said firmly. "Mattheo said something tonight, when they were arguing. Draco said, he doesn't have the dark mark and doesn't serve him. Then Mattheo said not yet. He said he may not have picked but they both know who he will choose." I said. Snape looked at me and I immediately recognized the look. "You know. Tell what it is right now." I said. "Veronica, there are things-" he started. "If it concerns Draco, you better tell me or I swear to Merlin I will track down the Dark Lord and ask him myself." I said. Snape shook his head. "I cannot tell you what I do not know." he said. I began to storm out. "But I can tell you someone who does." he said. I turned around. "Mattheo?" I asked. He nodded. "Thank you." I sighed. Then I shut the door and went back to my room.  I took a shower and the cut was all healed thanks to Snape. I laid in my bed and thought about everything that happened. I couldn't sleep. Eventually, I gave up. I got up and went and knocked on Mattheo's door. He opened it and smiled. "Can't sleep?" he asked. I shook my head. I walked in. "Lay down with me." he said. He laid down and I laid next to him. He pulled me into his arms. His breath tickled my neck and I could feel his heartbeat on my back. We laid there in silence for a while. "Are you upset that I marked you?" he asked. "No." I said. I felt him ask, nod. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. "I don't know. I thought it would be easier if you didn't know." he said. "Did you think the same about your dark mark?" I asked. "Yes." he said. I took his arm and traced my finger gently over it. "Does it scare you?" he asked. "No." I said. "Are you alright?" he asked. I shrugged. "What's wrong then?" he asked. "Let's talk in the morning. Right now, I just want you." I said. He pulled me closer and kissed the back of my neck gently. "Do you love me Mattheo?" I asked hesitantly. I turned my head to look at him. "Yes." he said. I smiled. "Do you love me?" he asked. "Yes." I said. He nodded. "Good. Now go to sleep." he said. I nodded and eventually I dozed off.