A Powerful and Painful Addiction

Chapter 8: The Blur of It All

October blew in with gale force winds. The skies clouded over; the wind roared hinting into the up and coming cold and flu season. The leaves on the tree on the edge of the Forbidden Forest were turning into beautiful shades of red, orange and gold; the rain became steadily more persistent, sopping the grounds and turning their Care of Magical Creatures classes into contests to see who could stay up the longest and not splatter down onto the mud covered grounds.

However, even with the ground and weather conditions deteriorating, October brought about promises of new and exciting things to look forward to. Classes were becoming not only harder and more tasking, but quite interesting as well. Defense Against the Dark Arts was gradually becoming the new rage the students looked forward to. Professor Bridgeman was the talk of the school. Many girls squealed and muddled out at the mere mention of his name, or a glimpse of him in a corridor, or class, or the Great Hall.

Hogwarts' male population however secretly detested him for being such a swooner. Although, they had to admit that he was somehow handing out insights into what the females went "ga-ga" over. Most if not all, save for a few select people, relished his classes.

"Lavender?" Seamus asked. "Hello, Earth to Lavender; snap out of it!"

Lavender's eyes were fixated on Professor Bridgeman, while her head was propped on her hand and it tilted to the left; she was in the prime position for the drool to roll down her mouth any minute.

"Hey... Lav!" Seamus nudged her in the side.

Professor Bridgeman cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Miss Brown?" Immediately Lavender snapped to attention at being addressed but the handsome, yet severe faced teacher.

"Miss Brown, could you tell me the correct way to overcome a Kelpie?"

Hermione's hand rose up sharply, but was forcefully pulled down by Joely. Lavender's eyes scanned the top of her desk as though it held the answer. "Oh...um."

"Miss Brown, do you need to be excused?"

"No, Professor."

"Then please pay attention or I will be forced to remove you from my class for the remainder of the duration."

"I'm sorry, Professor."

"Yes, thank you. Now let's continue...."

Hermione was scowling with pursed lips at Joely as though she had just used the mudblood insult on her. "Why did you do that?"

"Do what?" Joely asked scratching her left eyebrow.

"Lower my hand like that, I know the answer."

"Hermione, I know you know the answer. But it's not going to kill you or ruin your marks if you don't answer one freakin' question. Besides, as long as you know you know the answer and answer that question right should it arrive on an exam; that's all that matters."

"But -"

Joely glared at Hermione through the tops of her eyes; she took the hint and quieted down, returning her attention to the lesson at hand.

"Your homework tonight," the Professor began, "I would like everyone to read pages 115-145 and write me a four foot essay summarizing what you read about; to be handed in next Tuesday. You have the whole weekend plus Monday so I don't want any excuses should you not have it done. Please pack up you things the bell will ring soon."

Everyone packed away their books and parchment and began to talk quietly until the signal. One thing many liked about Professor Bridgeman was he always granted conversation if there were a few of minutes left and they spoke quietly, not being disruptive.

Joely whipped around and sat on her legs, facing Harry and Ron.

"So, Harry," she smiled wide, "whatcha got planned for the Gryffindor team? You know with you being Captain, our victory for the cup is in your hands."

"Oh gods, Joely, let's not put any pressure on him or anything," Ron scolded.

"Ron, calm down, this is only the beginning of October. Practices start this month, but the season doesn't begin till November. You know, you Quidditch fanatics really freak me out sometimes.... Seriously!"

"Well it's just as you said. Practices start next week, and we have -"

RING!

The students filed out of the classroom for their next class; for "The Quad Squad" that was Astronomy.

"Oh, Harry, what were you saying?" Joely asked.

"Huh?" Harry asked sounding disorganized. "Oh right, well it's like you said; practices start this month, well in two weeks actually; and we have five positions to fill so we have to hold tryouts. Which reminds me, you want to tryout, Joely?"

Ron's eyes grew huge. "Yeah, Joely, you'd be great!"

"Great? HA! Number one, I don't play; number two, I don't fly, so oops I guess that leaves me out. Too bad, so sad, no bloody way."

"I'll teach you to fly!"

"No, Ron!"

"All right, I'll teach you to fly!"

"I've seen the way you fly, Potter! Hell no!"

"Come on, Joely! Please?"

"No!"

"Why?" Harry asked stopping right in front of her. She tried to maneuver around him, but damn it he kept getting in the way.

"No, Harry! I mean it!"

"Why not?"

"Because I don't like flying, I've already told you and Ron that tons of times. Lay off already!"

"Have you ever flown?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Yes."

"Okay, then why don't you like flying? There has to be some explanation into your despise of it." Harry and Ron were eyeing Joely like a criminal, both sporting crossed arms.

"I - I don't like heights."

"You're afraid of heights?" Ron asked with squeaks of laughter coming from his throat.

"Then why didn't you just say so?" said Harry.

"Well it's kind of embarrassing with -"

"You're afraid of heights?"

"Ron, shut up! YES! I'm afraid of heights!"

Ron couldn't control himself any longer, he exploded with laughter. "Ha - ha, Joely's afraid of heights!" he screamed. "Who's ever heard of a witch that's afraid of heights? HA - HA!"

Joely grabbed Ron's Astronomy book and thrusted it into his stomach causing him to sputter and double over from the blow. "Kiss my ass, Ron! It's all so fucking hysterical, huh?" Joely jogged off, not looking back.

"For your information, Ron, I don't like heights either," Hermione said scathingly.

"You being afraid of heights I can understand," said Ron massaging his stomach. "I mean you're Hermione, and you don't like anything that you can't memorize."

Now it was Hermione's and Harry's turn for payback. Ron turned to Harry to see him thrilling in the humor he had created, but all he was greeted with was the raven haired boy contorting his mouth at him and grinding his teeth. Ron's smile dropped. He turned his head back to Hermione watching her chew her tongue in anger.

She picked Ron's book off the floor and following Joely's example; slammed it back into Ron's stomach. However, she didn't exactly put as much force behind the assault, so Ron only emitted a few strangled coughs. She stuck her nose in the air at Ron giving him a, "Humph" before gliding away. Ron turned around to see Harry following right beside her.

"Weasel, Weasel, Weasel...."

Ron grasped his wand inside his pocket. "What now, Malfoy?"

"I think I just solved one of the mysteries of the Universe."

"Malfoy it's no mystery as to why you're such a prat. Pansy didn't feel like giving you any last night. Aww, are you feeling a little 'frustrated?'"

Draco cringed remembering what he had woken up to several mornings since he arrived back at Hogwarts.

"Not only did you just lose any respect that Potter, Granger and Joely had for you, but speaking of getting some, you just lost out on the only way you'd have a chance at getting laid... out of sympathy."

Ron's cheeks blushed almost as red as his fiery hair. Malfoy had hit a nerve.

"Don't talk about something you've never even had in the first place," Ron spat, treading to come within just a few inches of Draco.

"Oh believe me, Weasley, I've had my share; and it's never been out of sympathy."

"Oh believe me, Malfoy; I wasn't implying into sexual matters." Ron was now wearing an unusually smug smirk, it even surprised Malfoy.

"Who doesn't respect me? Let's see, I think people stepping out of my way without me even having to order them to do so is respect. But then again, you, Potty and the Mudblood have always considered yourselves to be above everyone and above the rules."

"Not respect either, Malfoy," Ron chuckled. "Oh, and you forgot about Joely thinking she's above everyone else."

"She is above everyone else and, Weasel, I have everything. I have money, great looks, parents that aren't complete and utter morons; girls throwing themselves at me. I'm respected, and there's nothing I don't have or can't get."

"Think again, you sodding git." Ron was trying with all his might not to retort at Malfoy's comment about his parents and save his words for the upcoming big, verbal blow.

Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Enlighten me, Weasley."

"Joely. You don't have her and never will."

Draco lunged and knocked Ron flat on his back before the red-haired Gryffindor took a blow to his jaw and returned the punch with a fist right into the side of Draco's eye. Draco was thrown off balance and fell to the side as Ron scrambled to his feet and Malfoy charged him; ramming him into the wall knocking him breathless. Ron slumped over leaning into Draco causing the Slytherin to think he had defeated Weasley but was taken by surprise when the red head kneed him in the stomach. Profanities and threats were exchanged as the battle waged on. The fight came to an abrupt halt when the Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor Keeper were holding their wands to their opponent's throat. Both black and blue and bleeding, they stared each other down.

"If you ever lay a dirty-nailed finger on her, Weasley, I swear on a life sentence in Azkaban I will kill you with my bare hands."

"Sod off, Malfoy. Unlike you, I've never and would never hurt her."

With Seeker quick reflexes, Draco lowered his wand and struck Ron's nose with his fist, making it crack and Ron hitting the ground.

"I'd never hurt her, not intentionally. I didn't mean to! I can't stand seeing her this miserable! It hurts me more than you will ever be able to comprehend to see her upset."

"O... oh, Malfoy! Was - was that an emotion?" Ron jeered.

"Don't fuck with me, Weasley. The only emotion you know is self pity because you can't have the one girl you want." Ron's eyes bulged. "What? You think no one knows?" Malfoy scoffed. "Weasley, I take back all those times I ever called you stupid."

"WHAT?"

"Yes I do because you're not stupid. You're pathetically moronic." Ron attempted to get up but was ceased by Malfoy's wand.

"Stay where you are, Weasley."

"Why?"

"Because you're exactly where you belong; on the floor with the rest of the dirt and scum of this Earth." Ron's eyes narrowed sharply. "You tried in fourth year, you tried last year but, hmmm, damn it, it didn't work." Draco squatted down next to Ron still holding his Yew wand to Ron's chest. "Potter got the girl, and all you've got is a sore hand."

Ron stared at Malfoy trying to contemplate what he was on about and piece it all together. Potter got the girl? he thought. Harry wasn't going out with who he was interested in. Was he?

"I'd love to stay and bask in the glory of you being a complete waste of space, but I have a reputation as a student of excellence to maintain. Unlike you, Weasley, I wouldn't give up Prefect for the world."

"Student of excellence, my ass, Ferret," he whispered to himself. Ron grabbed his books from the floor and dusted himself off. He lifted his hand to his lip and withdrew it back finding blood tainting his knuckles. He searched his clothes making sure there were no holes or rips and set off for Astronomy, which he was already fifteen minutes late for.

.....................

Outside the doors of the Astronomy room, Draco checked himself over and then stepped into the room as though he was royalty.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Professor. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't, Mr. Malfoy. Sit down, we've already begun." Professor Sinistra was as strict as McGonagall. "Now when Jupiter aligns with..."

Malfoy shook his head and laughed quietly at how easy that was. He relaxed back in his chair seeing Harry and Hermione observing him; Harry seeming to be in no mood to contend with which delighted Draco. Hermione continued to scowl on and Malfoy winked, blowing her an egotistical kiss, chuckling when the mudblood mouthed "Watch it" and returned her attention to the Professor up front.

He slowly began to doze off when the door opened with a resounding creak filling the whole room. He looked around behind him to see Weasley strutting in with a cheap grin. Draco mulled over why Potter and Granger weren't looking to their mate.

"Mr. Weasley, I will not tolerate such disrespect."

"I have an excuse note." Draco's eyes amplified. How did the Weasel get an excuse note?

"Very well, Mr. Weasley. Sit!"

Draco returned back to his relaxing position, lacing his fingers behind his head. His fight with Weasley was running through his mind on a constant basis; his internal gloating at his victory over the red head was reward worthy.

With his ego so swollen, he only just realized that class was over when the students were retreating toward the exit. He walked out and zipped behind a statue when he saw Ron confronting Potter and the mudblood.

"Look, Hermione, I'm really sorry about the crack I made. Really I am. Can you forgive me?"

"Of course, Ron, but it's not me that you really upset."

"I know. Do you know where she is? I didn't see her in there."

Malfoy didn't hear any replies. He just remembered that he hadn't seen Joely in Astronomy either. But oddly, he wasn't all that interested in finding her though. What the hell?

"We don't know where she is. Maybe we should go look for her. It is almost dinner time after all," Harry commented.

"I'm sure she's right outside the doors waiting for us," replied Ron.

"I don't know, Ron, you really upset her."

"Well excuse me, Hermione, but I find it humorous that of all the things that you and Joely can do, you two can't fly."

"Ron... I told you before; I'M the one that can't fly." Hermione paced off ahead to catch up with Ginny and a fellow Gryffindor friend, leaving behind two goggle eyed and puzzled boys.

Draco felt his stomach give a great rumble of hunger that triggered a reaction in his abdominals to tighten and his face to wrinkle in pain. He raised his jumper and oxford shirt to see a colorful bruise the size of a Bludger present. He set off toward the infirmary thinking how much of this year he had already spent in there. He guessed that it was almost enough to be on a first name basis with Madam Pomfrey.

He pushed open the heavy doors, taking a nosy look around to see what was going on. Nothing really too interesting he noted. Madam Pomfrey popped out from behind a curtain that enclosed a whole bed, carrying a bowl with a red tinted towel hanging off the side. His curiosity was stirred and flaring. Unfortunately for him, the curtain concealed everything.

"Yes, what now?" Madam Pomfrey sighed in annoyance. She was ragged and worn as though whoever was behind that curtain was testing her skill.

Draco lifted his jumper and shirt revealing the bruise beneath.

"Sit," she spat huffily. Draco sat on the bed opposite the curtain. He watched as Madam Pomfrey left into another room and was haphazardly moving things around making quite a racket; returning very shortly with nothing. "I must see Professor Snape. STAY where you are. I'll have your prefect badge if you wander, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco understood her remark as an order and a serious threat. He gave her a curt nod and leant back against the pillows. He heard the person behind the curtain give a strangled cry. Minute by minute that went by, the sounds of pain in the patient were becoming sharper as though whoever it was, was in real horrendous pain.

What's one peak going to hurt?

The person cried out again, confirming his rising suspicions that the patient was female. Knowing that there was a she on that bed made him wonder more. Not wonder what was wrong with her, but who she was. He slowly arose from the squeaking bed and padded quietly toward the curtain. She definitely sounds like she's in a lot of pain.

As he tip-toed to the right side of bed he noticed a gap in the hangings; getting as close as he could and peered through the crack. All he could make out was that the girl was lying with her head at the foot of the bed and most interesting was that only the lower half of her body was covered with the bed linens. She was on her stomach and her entire bare back was exposed in the freezing ward. He caught a glimpse of what looked like several scars overspread her back and thought, pathetically accident prone people.

He tried to edge himself around the gap to see the face of the ailing but was unable to get a really clean glance. The mystery woman gave another sob but was now choking back tears. He heard the familiar clicking of Madam Pomfrey's heels and he dashed back to his bed.

"One swallow of this, Mr. Malfoy, twice a day for three days." She shooed him out of the infirmary. Before his forced departure he noticed that she returned not only with the potion for him but with a dark purple bottle as well.

He had a mountain of homework, and he wanted to get as much of it done as he could so the weekend was free to him; deciding that now was as good as ever to get started. He knew that nobody, not even the Prefects used the Prefects' Common Room, so that's where he aimed to go. He said the password and entered throwing his books on the table, the sound echoed throughout the room. Out of the corner of his eye he saw something stir on the couch. He walked over and peered down at the cushions to see Joely fast asleep. I guess I'm not the only that uses this room.

......................................................

"It is Sunday, isn't it? Okay seeing as there's a Hogsmeade trip this Saturday, we need to get this stuff out A.S.A.P. so people can prepare and start looking for their costumes. Especially those going with a date."

"No kidding," Tarrah chuckled.

"Where is everyone?"

"Wasn't the meeting supposed to start ten minutes ago?"

"I thought so too!" Joely said snapping her fingers in a made up rhythm. Just then Draco came bounding through the door out of breath.

"Are you lost little one?"

"Shut up, Tarrah! No I'm not lost. I'm late."

"Oh who's the daddy? You should see Madam Pomfrey, Malfoy. OH MY GODS, what a scandal that would make; I can see it headlining the front page of The Daily Prophet: Draco Malfoy, 16, becomes pregnant while attending school at Hogwarts," Joely and Tarrah snickered. "You could go down in history as the first pregnant male!"

"Eat me, McGill!"

"Sorry, Malfoy, but after Blaise I'm really full!" Malfoy was not happy, his fists were clawing the arms of the chair and he was gritting his teeth. Joely found it highly amusing.

Within five minutes the remaining sixth year Prefects entered the Charms classroom looking severely disgruntled.

"What the hell happened to you guys?"

"Don't even, Joely."

"No, Hannah, what happened?" Hannah looked to Padma to explain.

"We were all running here when Filch and Snape caught us. The five of us all have detention tonight." Padma flounced down next to Anthony who was huffing in anger.

"Okay then. Tarrah and I will conduct this meeting. All right, we're going to have to cut this short because I have a meeting with Snape in twenty minutes." Malfoy gazed at Joely with wonder. "Actually if it runs over, Tarrah and Draco can finish up, yeah? Anyways, I thought that we'd only go over the real basic rules that Professor Dumbledore and the Head Boy and Girl have agreed with." She gave Tarrah a thumb up signaling her turn.

"All right first, considering that only third years and above are allowed into Hogsmeade, they're the only ones allowed to dress in costume. There's two Hogsmeade trips before the ball so that, plus Owl Order should be plenty of time for everyone to find costumes."

"On the note about the costumes, Professor Dumbledore and the Heads agreed that if you want to attend the party and the ball you MUST wear a costume! Okay?" Joely glanced around for everyone's approval.

"I don't agree with that."

"Majority rules and Professor Dumbledore wrote that one up himself, so if you don't like, Malfoy, that's tough cookies, isn't?" Joely felt ready to snap, she had enough on her mind as it is, the last thing she needed was for Malfoy to grate her nerves even more. "Secondly, if you choose to go stag or alone, as you would call it, then you're costume doesn't matter. But if you choose to go with a date then you must have coordinating apparel. The Head Boy and Girl came up with that one so don't start your bitching, Malfoy, I'm not in the mood to contend with your nonsense complaints."

"Now," Tarrah began taking a deep breath, "thirdly, if your costume might seem a little... risqué or shows what could be deemed too much flesh, then it might need to be approved by Professor Dumbledore himself." Many of the guys were smirking at thinking of the possibility of skimpy, skin bearing costumes. "Well that's all that's really been approved, are there any questions?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Well in that case I guess we're adjourned," said Joely, just before everyone said their goodbyes and conversed about the ball, exiting to head in their respective directions.

................................................

"So, Ron, have you asked her yet?" Ron only shook his head. "Why not?"

"Nervous. What if she turns me down?"

"She won't, I know it! Remember if you go with a date your costumes have to go coordinating, so you two still need to find those! You need to ask her now. Go on!"

"I - I can't."

"Yes you can, hun, I know you can! Look..." Joely whispered leaning across the library table. "Quidditch tryouts are on Sunday, practice starts Monday which is a week from today, and those will be three days a week. Plus with all this homework we're getting, now is the best time. She's right over there. Go on!"

Ron casually turned his head to see her talking rather loudly with Parvati and Padma about the up coming ball.

"Ron, look at me," Joely palmed his face and looked deep in his eyes. "Hogsmeade, Saturday; must find MATCHING costumes!"

"I can do this."

"Yes you can!"

"I'm going go ask her."

"Yes you are!"

"I'm going to have a date."

"Hell yes you are!"

"Hey, guys, what's up?" Harry asked carrying a stack of books.

"Shh," Joely whispered placing her finger to her lips. "Ron's going to go ask her finally."

"NOW!"

"Shut up, Harry!" Joely snapped.

"Harry's right, I can't do this!" Ron whined banging his head on the table.

"God, Harry! I just got him to buck up the courage to ask her and you come along and whisk the confidence away."

"Thank you I'm here till June." He sat down next to Joely and opened a thick book on advanced Transfiguration, all the while with Joely glowering menacingly at him.

"Harry, "she whined, "promise me that if the Auror thing doesn't work out that you won't resort to comedy, because believe you me... you suck! Now, Ron, go ask her, hun!"

"I can't."

"Yes - you - can."

"No seriously, Joely, I can't. She's gone."

Joely jumped out of her chair and began searching the library, coming back ten minutes later with a two foot high stack of books.

"Yep, she's gone alright."

"Told you."

"Damn," she said, dropping the books loudly on the table and Harry and Ron jumping back.

"What are those for?" Harry asked.

"Are you working on Transfiguration?"

"Uh huh."

"McGonagall threw hints today about checking out some of the material in these to go with our homework. Plus, I've already done mine and trust me, you'll need these. Six or seven of questions' answers are only in these books. Great professors we have, huh?"

................................................

"Hi, Hermione."

"Hello, Harry, where have you been I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Well you're sitting down, doing homework, and you're not at dinner; so obviously you haven't been looking too hard," Harry laughed gazing at Hermione with so much interest. "Listen... um, there's something I want to talk to you about."

"I hope it's the same thing I want to discuss with you?"

Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She didn't know how she was going to initiate the conversation. She started shuffling her books and parchments, desperately trying to think of a way to tell him. Would he be upset with her when she told him?

Harry's heart skipped beat after beat until he felt as though it was no longer operating. Hermione had always had that affect on him ever since fourth year when she helped him so much with the Triwizard Tournament. Even when Ron had temporarily parted ways with Harry, Hermione remained by him. Tiny voices in his head were ordering him to speak what was on his mind, but he couldn't. Was it too soon? Was now not the time to bring it up? He had to change the subject.

"What are you working on? You look exhausted."

"Oh, Harry, my mind, my body, my nerves... I mean every part of me is exhausted." Hermione tossed down her quill and rested her forehead down on her folded arms, breathing deeply. "Joely and I have been working almost non-stop on the Halloween Ball. And with having to organize the Hogsmeade trips, prefect duties, and all this N.E.W.T. homework... I feel as though I'm back in third year."

"How about letting Joely take over the trips and the duties for a while?"

"Harry, I can't do that. She's already doing way over her share. I don't know how she does it, honestly I don't. It's weird and I know this is going to make me sound like I only want to be the best and all... but it seems as though when I'm just starting, she's already above and beyond, and finished."

"You pace yourself, love, she doesn't. You took on more than you could stomach third year and you almost cracked, remember? Don't give me that look because you know I'm right. She's doing everything just like you did back then, eventually she will crack too."

"It just feels strange is all. It used to be me annoying you and Ron into doing your homework, and now... now I'm constantly scolding myself to remind me to do my own. It's so frustrating." Hermione pulled her hair back and picked up her quill again.

"How did the meeting go Sunday?"

"It didn't last very long because there really wasn't much to discuss and with me and the other Prefects having received detention Joely and Tarrah had to lead the meeting. And, we had to somewhat rush because Joely had some kind of meeting with Professor Snape."

"Wait, wait," Harry snapped holding his hand up, "Joely had a meeting with Snape?"

"Hmm," Hermione nodded.

"What happened?"

"She wouldn't tell me. In fact - come to think of it, she didn't talk to me at all for quite sometime after then. You know, Ginny asked me if I knew what was wrong with her because she hardly spoke to her as well."

"She wouldn't talk to Ginny?" Harry looked stunned. "Ginny's usually the one that can make anyone talk, whether they want to or not."

Hermione shook her head. "All she did was walk in, seeming to be in a trance because her eyes looked glazed over, she kept her head down too, but yeah, she walked in and went straight up to her room."

"You don't think Snape gave her something do you? Or put her in a trance possibly?" Harry asked biting his lip.

"Why would he?"

"Because he's an evil git!"

Luckily, all the other Gryffindors were at dinner, for at that moment Hermione gave Harry a very, hard smack on the arm -

"Harry Potter, Professor Snape is not evil, he's just... strict!"

"Oh come on, Hermione, Snape is as evil as they come! Need I remind you he was once a Death Eater?"

"Once, Harry, once a Death Eater. Besides if he was that mean then you wouldn't be in N.E.W.T. Potions now would you?" Hermione had one upped her boyfriend.

Harry admitted that she had a valid point, though she always did seem to. Harry and Potions was not the best combination, but Professor Snape had accepted him into the advanced course. Harry assumed that Dumbledore more than likely had everything to do with that; but Harry didn't care. He needed N.E.W.T. Potions for Auror training; it was a requirement. He watched Hermione return to her Transfiguration homework they had received that day and tap her nails on the wooden table top.

Harry was amazed at how much Hermione had changed over the summer. Her hair had loosened into wavy ringlets that bounced with the slightest movement. He knew he could sit there all day and watch the curls sway when she would move her head. Her curves had developed entirely and Harry's mouth went dry at thinking about what the bulky school robes were hiding. That achy, tightening feeling was forming in his abdomen. They weren't drastic changes that could be noticed from afar and by everyone, but they were seen by Harry.

Hermione lifted her concentration to see two emerald isles searching and undressing the upper half of her body. Her heart was pulsating rapidly, and her breathing was ragged. As she gazed at him, she began to feel that familiar sensation of her skin burning for his touch, she wanted to feel his hands exploring her flesh that was craving his attention. She suddenly felt wild and with the speed of a new broom, she jumped upon the table, leaping across to Harry; knocking him backwards onto the floor.

As his and Hermione's lips remained locked together, Harry was grinning. He had no clue at what had come over Hermione, but he loved it, and he wished it would always stay. He adored this side of her, the side that had a total disregard for being proper and lady like.

"Hermione...mmm," he moaned as she slipped her tongue into his mouth, exploring the heated space. She tugged and pulled at his shirt to remove it from his pants, she wanted to feel his skin against her hands. "Dinner... oh gods... will be over soon... mmm." He was enjoying himself immensely. He ran his hands through her hair, removing the binder and entwining his fingers in the wavy, soft rings.

"Hermione, we might get caught." Hermione flipped her hair back that had been framing his face; both bearing pink, swollen lips. All Harry could see was the gorgeous girl, now a woman that he was in love with, looking incredibly seductive.

Hermione ran the tip of her tongue painfully slow along the top of her lip making Harry squirm with pleasure that caused the ache to turn into a painful and agonizing throb. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Hermione we might get caught!"

She leaned down into his ear, her hot, ragged breath surging through his veins. "Makes it all the more enjoyable, huh?"

Harry did like this new side indeed... very much indeed.

...................................................

Hogsmeade was the highlight of the seemingly slow approaching weekend, except for Quidditch tryouts on Sunday. Talk of who was going with whom, and what everyone was going to wear was the hot gossip through the corridors. Girls were giggling about what cute boy they were attending with, while the guys were comparing whose date was better looking.

After the sixth year Prefects posted the full, detailed bulletins in their common rooms concerning the ball and Hogsmeade, everyone's spirits lifted even higher and finally school seemed somewhat bearable again.

"I can't wait to get into Hogsmeade! Seamus thinks we should go as Hera and Zeus," Parvati was telling Lavender who was giggling madly. Parvati spoke in an even louder voice -

"So, Lavender, who are you going with?" Parvati glanced at Lavender and nodded.

"Uh... no one! I haven't been asked yet!" she replied in the same tone as Parvati.

Ron was blushing tomato red. Breakfast was meant to be a relaxing event on a Saturday mornings - but not this Saturday morning.

Joely gave Ron a once over and winked. Poor guy, she thought. He wants to ask her so bad, but yet he can't. Joely felt wretched for Ron. He was so strong with so many other things, but he couldn't find it within himself to ask a girl to the ball. Her ginger haired friend went back to mashing up his fried egg, oblivious to those around him.

Hermione gave Joely a nudge in the ribs causing her to drop her breakfast. "What are you going as?"

"I'll have you know that that was my favorite granola bar you jolted from my hand. Just for ruining my breakfast you're going to have to wait until the ball. I got an owl the other day saying that my costume came in and I can pick it up at the post office anytime," Joely squealed, she was so excited. "But... I do have to look for shoes today though.

"How about a hint?"

"How about a no."

"Oh c'mon, Joe!"

Joely gave Harry an odd expression and said, "Joe? God, no one's called me that in - who knows how long!" Truth be told, she knew how long it had been, but why bring up the past at this cheerful breakfast she was glowing in.

"Well I just did, so now you're stuck with it," Harry joked taking a bite of a sausage.

"Okay... Har!"

Hermione scrunched her nose. "Har? That sounds awful."

"Yeah well, frankly, my dear I don't give a damn." Joely bobbed her head.

"Gone With the Wind!" Hermione shouted.

"You've seen it?"

"Seen it! I LOVE it!"

"One of my favs!"

"My mum and I watch it all the time during the summer at night. It's almost like a tradition."

Joely and Hermione glanced over at Ron and their excitement died.

"You think he'll be all right?" Joely asked her.

"I hope so," she mumbled somberly.

Somewhere a light bulb came on and Joely was struck with an idea. "Ron? Ron?"

"What?" he answered morosely, not even lifting his head.

"Can I talk to you outside?"

Ron lifted slugged himself up from the table and followed Joely outside the Great Hall with his shoulders slouched. The two Gryffindors leaned against the wall to the left of the doors and slid down to the floor.

"Ron, hun, this depression thing has got to stop! I know you can ask her, I know you can!"

"No, I can't," he sighed, bowing his head even lower than it already was.

"Hun, look at me. Ron, she has turned down Dean, Anthony, two Slytherins and like two Ravenclaws. She's waiting for you. She's holding out for you, sweetie."

Neither of them had noticed the Slytherin Prince sitting down against the wall to the right of the doors, eavesdropping on their conversation.

Ron's eyes glowed brightly. Joely seemed to think that his confidence and courage were returning finally.

"Really?"

"I may lie about some things like everyone else, but I'm not about to lie about something as important as feelings. I swear on my great-grandfather Thackary's grave that she's waiting for you."

"Okay, I'm going to ask her!"

"Rawr! Go get her, tiger!"

Just as their conversation ended the Great Hall's population was fleeing, anxious for their trip.

"Go!" she mouthed to Ron. He searched the crowd and found her and looked back to Joely for that extra boost of confidence and reassurance to which she smiled and winked.

"Hey, Lavender, wait up!"

"Where's Ron going?"

Hermione and Joely each clamped one of their hands over Harry's mouth.

"Shh... Ron just got enough of his confidence back to ask Lavender to the ball." The three of them watched as Ron walked in front of Lavender staring at his feet, and shuffling his weight.

"Come on, Ron, you can do it, sweetie, I know you can," Joely whispered, her grin broadening every second. Finally after all the apprehension, they saw Lavender nod with a huge smile on her face that was unforgettable accompanying Ron's blush.

"YES!" Joely screamed jumping up and down before she and Hermione released Harry and watched the newly pair walking off with Parvati hand in hand.

"Well, ladies," said Harry jutting out both elbows to the girls at his sides, "shall we?" The girls laughed, each grabbing an elbow and making their way down the marble staircase, cheering happily.

The flaxen haired Prince menaced as the "Golden Boy" and his girls left to have fun. Draco was - in no simpler terms - jealous and heated. He was angered at the friendship "He - Who - Refused - To - Die" and Joely had together, and he was jealous of what he was going to miss out on: The Halloween Ball with his American Beauty.

Draco shook his head berating himself. There was a huge event taking place at Hogwarts and he was cut from sharing it with her. Of all the guys in this damned school, she had to say yes to Blaise! Draco reached deep into his pants pocket and withdrew a black phial, removed the top and swirled the smoking contents. Placing it on his lips, he tilted his head back and swallowed a hefty shot. Shaking his head and returning the phial to his pocket, along with his hands; he set out for Hogsmeade... alone.

...............................................................

"Harry, Harry?"

"What?" he sighed exasperatedly.

"Um, yeah... boy, listen to me. If you are planning on attending this ball you must be dressed in a COSTUME! Now, considering the fact that you're attending with a DATE, you must having coordinating COSTUMES!"

"Why?" Harry asked flailing his arms.

"Okay... first the... " she mimicked Harry's arms, "arm thing has got to stop! Seriously, I kid you not! Don't go get all Malfoy on me and bitch about the costume stipulation. The Head's came up with it not me, and, Professor Dumbledore agreed whole-heartedly with them."

"Nobody cares who wears what."

Hermione and Joely snapped their heads away from the clothing racks, glowering harshly at Harry.

"Harry, you read the bulletin, the Court nominations box comes out next week. I would like to be on it. Besides, it would look really nice if those that won happened to be at all the ball together," Hermione whined.

Joely whisked her head around the shop and under the racks, checking for prying eyes and sneaky ears. "Aside from the fact that no one, except an honored few - yes, me, ha - ha, knows you're dating, believe me, you two have this contest in the palm of your hand," Joely cackled madly causing Harry to wonder how she had escaped her straight jacket.

"What?" she shrugged.

"Harry, can you please help us? I want to look great!"

"You look fantastic, just the way you are," he whispered in her ear, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Okay, now it's my turn to whine. Aww... you two look so good together! I think I need a tissue. So -"

"Oh, Joely, have you found your shoes yet?"

"Not yet, which reminds me that I need to hit the post office. I'll catch up with you two at The Three Broomsticks." She waved goodbye and headed up the street to the post office.

Upon entering and meandering up to the front counter, she gawked at the enormous number of owls that were waiting to deliver someone's post or a package. She saw a friendly looking witch dressed in Daffodil yellow robes, nursing a Barn Owl's injured wing.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, may I help you?"

"I need to pick a package for Joely McGill that arrived from The United States."

The brunette witch set down the owl and entered a large store room behind the counter to the left and returned carrying two large packages, both wrapped in brown paper and white twine.

"Here you are, miss."

Joely examined the packages and her eyes shined like the stars in the country sky. She didn't know how she was going to wait two weeks to wear it. It was her eyes the perfect costume anyone could want. It was going to do its many jobs of giving her that Halloween spirit, and agitating a certain blonde. She thanked the witch while rubbing the owl's head and left.

As she walked up the main street, she recalled that her feet needed proper costume attire as she noticed an appealing shop across the street from The Three Broomsticks. When she opened the door immediately, her nose was enraptured in a scent that reminded her way too much of Professor Trelawney's classroom; the store swamped with her schoolmates. The hustle and bustle and the excitement made her smirk jovially. Remembering that there was another Hogsmeade trip next weekend, she decided to hold off 'til then for her footwear. She gallivanted across the street to The Three Broomsticks, loving her life at the moment, to meet up with Harry and Hermione like she promised.

.....................

Draco, Blaise, Tarrah and Pansy were in a booth talking about Quidditch tryouts the next day, when Malfoy noticed Joely walk in. She had on a black, turtleneck sweater; dark, indigo jeans that didn't leave much to the imagination; and black high heeled boots. He thought that she looked very beautiful - but he wasn't feeling that twinge as before. She looked gorgeous, no doubt about it, but he wasn't feeling attracted to her; thank the gods.

"Joely, over here," he heard.

She glanced around and walked directly to the booth behind him and Blaise. He assumed that she hadn't noticed him considering he had slouched down until he was practically under the table.

"Whoa, what's that?" he heard the voice of the infamous Gryffindor bookworm speak.

"My costume!" Joely squealed.

"Oh, come on, I have to see!"

"No way, you have to wait like everyone else. I'm gonna get something to drink, you guys want another one?"

Draco watched as she was lightly shaking her hips in an impatient bored manner by the counter while she waited for her drinks. He wasn't feeling anything - surprisingly. She paid for the drinks and carried back three, hot, foaming tankards to her booth.

Malfoy was astounded, watching hips like that would turn any guy on, he thought. Maybe I'm getting over her? He was in his own little world of thought when Blaise and Tarrah left... unbeknownst to him. He snapped himself out of it, and looked to see that he was alone with Pansy sitting across from him.

"Drakie, are you all right?" He didn't even cringe; he just stared blankly at her. Suddenly, he heard movement from behind him. He looked up to see Joely peering down at him over the edge of the high backed seat.

"Problem, McGill?" Pansy sneered.

"Eh... actually it's your problem."

"Excuse me?"

"Well I just wanted to see if Malfoy here still gets that grotesque look when you call him 'Drakie?'" Somewhere between the time she returned to the booth with the drinks and now she had pushed up her sleeves for when Draco looked to her dangling left arm beside his head, he happened upon a scar about an inch or two long, right in the middle of her forearm.

Pansy and Joely continued to rant with each other while Draco studied the scar; feeling himself being pulled closer to it, almost as though it was calling his name. Instantly he felt that same white-hot liquid shoot through his veins just like the night when he knew Snape had found Joely before he had. The hazy, mental image appeared next but this time it wasn't Snape.

In the image there was a girl that was fairly young, about twelve or thirteen he guessed, and she was struggling against someone.... But he couldn't make out the faces of the girl or her captor. He could hear her screaming and trying to yell, but her words sounded muffled as though her mouth was covered.

The picture was jumping around and making Draco's insides turn. The image slid up towards the struggling female's face. Instead of a face, all Draco could see was a fuzzy, black hole, but he could make out very clearly that a hand was placed over where a mouth would ordinarily be. But what disturbed him by far was when the female's arm was jerked roughly out in front of her, he could hear the volatile pop of her shoulder dislocate. Instantly the picture jumped again and now he could see her captor withdraw a wand from his coat pocket, mumble a few words that Draco assumed was an incantation, and then the girl went completely silent, but she wasn't giving up without a fight, that's for damn sure.

Where the wand had been was replaced by another hazy, black hole. Draco watched on the distorted mass glided down the girl's arm leaving a red gash, blood spilling from the wound. Draco heard a blood curdling scream and an insane cackle which shook him back to reality.

Malfoy blinked and returned his gaze to Joely's eyes. She jerked her arm away behind her seat, pushing down her sleeve. "It's you," she said softly. She grabbed her packages and left in a rush.

Malfoy leaned back against the seat staring at a bewildered Pansy. "What the hell?"

............................................................

"Joely! Get up! We promised Harry we'd be at the tryouts!" Hermione yelled shaking Joely awake.

"All right, all right I'm awake already!" Joely raved through a yawn. "How much time do I have?"

"An hour and a half."

"Oh gods, Hermione, I could get another half hour in!" She threw herself back down onto her pillows, covering her face with the blankets.

"Joely, come on!" Hermione pulled the covers off her and onto the floor.

"FINE!"

"Good. I'll use the Prefect's bathroom and you can use ours."

"UGH!" Joely screamed pounding her legs repeatedly on top of the mattress. She flung her legs over the side, sitting up to wipe the sleep from her eyes. Grumbling like a spoiled child, she grabbed her bath robe and stormed into the bathroom to shower.

Exactly an hour and a half later her and Hermione walked onto the Quidditch pitch and stopped between their two best male friends.

"So who's holding tryouts first?" asked Hermione.

"Hufflepuff has already gone, Ravenclaw is up now, Slytherin is next, then us."

"Who's captaining the other teams?" Joely asked.

"Boot for Hufflepuff, Goldstein for Ravenclaw and Malfoy for Slytherin."

Joely's jaw dropped. "Whoa! Whoa! Hold up. Malfoy is Captain?"

"That's right!" came a long, drawling voice from behind the four, them spinning wildly around to see Malfoy, his gang of Slytherins and those trying out for the team.

Oh bloody hell! Draco thought. Why now? I thought this was over? he questioned himself when he felt that pang in his chest. "QUIT!" he yelled out loudly. Everyone around him gave him peculiar stares while Hermione and Joely jumped back. Cursing her with her pullover sweater that was snug fitting and defined the roundness of her pert chest, knowing that she was intentionally wearing it to spite him, Draco played along, licking his lips and smiled wickedly causing Joely to tense up.

"Let's go everyone!" He rounded up his team and they took off into the sky.

Slytherin had so many people trying out that their session bordered a two hour length. Finally, he called an end to the chaos and announced the names of those that made the team. "Good luck, Potter. You're gonna need it," he sneered.

"Let's go!" Harry yelled. Harry, the team, and those trying out walked to the center of the pitch, while Malfoy sat in the stands.

"Okay, here's what we're going to do. I'm going to separate everyone into groups according to what you're trying out for. I want the Chasers here and the Beaters here. Good now -"

"Hi, baby."

Draco eased around almost painfully slow to see Pansy swaying up the stairs. "Hi," he replied flatly.

"How was tryouts?"

"Fine."

Pansy wrapped her arm around Draco's waist and leant her head down onto his shoulder. Draco felt colder and more distant from his own body than he thought possible. He felt lost in his own life; torturing him with memories of how lonely and miserable he was around three months ago when he had been ready to give up on life and end his "suffering."

She pulled his fringe out of his face and smiled lovingly. "You look tired."

"Can't imagine why."

"What's wrong, baby?"

"Nothing, Pansy, I'm just really tired, I didn't sleep at all last night, we just had tryouts and...."

"And what, love?" she asked while rubbing his back in gentle, soothing circles.

Draco bowed his head. "And I'm hurt and confused."

"About... McGill?"

"Yes."

"Why?

"Pansy," he sighed, "there is so much that happened between us over the summer. It's so complex that it even confuses me."

"What's there to be confused about?"

"More than you know."

"But Draco - "

"Pansy look -"

"No, Draco, explain it."

"If you would shut your gob for two seconds, I was about to when you interjected."

"Oh, sorry."

"When the Dark Lord was vanquished and that curse was lifted from my parents, everything I had known and grown up to be accustomed to wasn't the same. My parents weren't who I knew them to be before. My mum was never what you would call evil, but my father... well you know what he was like. Ever since I was born that's who I had known him to be. My life was planned out to become him; a Death Eater, one of the Dark Lord's henchmen.

"After all that ended, he began to act as though he actually cared about what goes on in my life, as before when it was just the ever annoying questions of how many curses and hexes I had learned. Studying the Dark Arts and practicing spells on house-elves, the mental and verbal beatings, the fights - they all stopped." Draco was beginning to choke on his words. "Everything was all so sudden... and I didn't know how to handle it. But I wouldn't let anyone help me either. I was ready to give up and take my own life."

"Draco, honey, I had no idea," said Pansy through a deep gasp.

"The day I met her... everything was going to end that night. There was something about her that made me want to go on. She kept me alive, Pansy, she kept me going, she helped me sort it all out and figure out what was going on. How she did it, I couldn't even begin to tell, because I don't even know. We grew so close to each other that our parents said we were inseparable. We talked about everything, we'd spend the night with each other; and don't look at me like that because nothing ever happened. I mean I've never even kissed her. But when I kissed you... all that shattered. I had lost all that she and I worked so hard on. I lost her that night and I need her back, Pansy."

"But, Draco..."

"No buts, Parkinson. The night I kissed you, I thought you were her and those nights we slept together since we've been back... well it shouldn't have happened."

Pansy removed her hand from Draco's back.

"It was all a mistake."

"No it -"

"Yes it was, Pansy."

"NO!" she yelled running down the stairs. "I'm not giving you up that easily!" Draco surveyed down over the edge to the grass to see everyone staring at him.

........................

"Now I'm going to call you up one by one to tryout; when you're audition is over, just sit back down in your groups. Ron will be at the goal posts and I will be in the air evaluating you. Okay, good luck." Harry clapped his hands and mounted his broom and he and Ron kicked off the ground. Harry hovered above the center while Ron flew off to the goals.

"Okay, first up are Chasers. We're going to do this alphabetically... so first up is Alexander Boyd."

"Um... could you call me Alex, please?" the shy blonde asked.

"Sure thing, Alex it is. All right, what I want you to do is when I blow this whistle, I want you to charge towards the goal posts with the Quaffle and try to score. You have seventy-five seconds to try and score as many goals as possible. Now this isn't all about scoring, this is also about handling the Quaffle and flying. Understand? Good luck."

Harry blew the whistle and Alex flew toward the goal. Harry and Ron's jaws dropped with amazement and excitement. Alex was a superb flyer and handled the Quaffle with professional skills. Harry blew the whistle again, signaling the end.

"That was excellent, Alex. Next is -"

Joely and Hermione were whistling and cheering on every single Gryffindor. "What are we doing here again? Deep in the back of my mind I know it was for more than moral support for the wee ones and Harry and Ron," Joely whispered through the corner of her mouth.

"Harry and Ron want us to see how they worked together, you know... as a team."

"So what you mean to say, but are avoiding, is that they want us to see who they do and don't mesh well with?"

"Well in so many words... yes."

"Oh gods, in that case I'm pulling up a chair. Want one?"

"Yeah, sure."

Joely removed her wand from her hair that was holding up her high, messy bun, moved it around, whispered a few words, and instantly two high, red director's chairs appeared. Joely walked behind and began to do what seemed like writing from Hermione's perspective. She finished and laughed as Hermione was walking around to see what was causing the giddy girl giggles. She surveyed the backs of the chairs; both reading "Behavioral analysts," followed by their names.

"Showoff," Hermione said smiling bright.

"Thanks," Joely replied as they plopped down getting comfortable.

"And now Ginny Weasley," said Harry.

Joely and Hermione clapped and cheered as loud as they could. Ginny blushed, giving them a reprimanding glare, mentally telling them to shut their gobs.

"All right, ready, Gin?"

She nodded.

"You have seventy-five seconds. Good luck."

Ginny prepared herself with the Quaffle under her arm. Harry blew the whistle and she charged. She was like her own cavalry. She was light and aerodynamic which made her an excellent candidate because she had speed. Just then the wind gave a huge blow at gale force but Ginny ducked low on her broom handle and stayed on track going on to score against Ron.

Harry blew his whistle, ending her audition. "Amazing, Gin!"

"Thanks, Harry."

Ron flew from the goal posts to float next to Harry. "I never knew she could fly like that!"

"Neither did I." The boys were beyond shock.

"WHOO GINNY!" Joely yelled, the littlest red head smiling in appreciation.

"Up next are Beaters. Alphabetically we have Marcus Angstrum." Marcus kicked off and came up to float in front of Harry.

"All right, Marcus, when I blow my whistle, Ron is going to release this Bludger. What I want you to do is keep it away from that floating broomstick which symbolizes a teammate. You have seventy-five seconds as well so good luck."

"Mya, is it just me, or is that Eric kid acting like he's something special?"

"Reminds me of Malfoy," Hermione snorted.

"Next up is Holli Hælan. You know what to do?"

"Yep."

"Okay on my whistle then 3...2..." BLEEP!

Holli was repelling the Bludger with lightening fast speed and with a force of several disarming charms. The Bludger took a beating; having been barely given the change to attack the broomstick. She was zipping around the vicinity of her "teammate" like golden blur.

Harry blew his whistle and she returned to the ground. Seven more Gryffindors auditioned for the position as Beater and then the trials were over. Harry and Ron landed in front of Joely and Hermione laughing at them sitting in their chairs like the important people they thought they were. Ron joked with Harry that all the needed now was a few shots of Firewhiskey and giant umbrellas and their egos would burst.

"Well how did it go?"

"How did what go?" Hermione asked teasingly.

"What do you mean 'How did it go'? I thought you two were going to watch them."

"Watch them... oh I thought you wanted us to be their," Hermione leaned her head back to the back of her chair, 'behavioral analysts?'"

"What?"

"Chill out, Ron, it was a joke, hun. Well here's my take... I've never seen Malfoy fly, but Hermione says that Eric's attitude is a replica, Marcus kept picking on Holli until she smacked the hell out of him, and Deana broke a few tail twigs off Alex's broom...."

"Yeah Joely almost hexed him," Hermione chimed in.

"I would've had a good clean shot if you hadn't stepped in the way. Anyways.... Bradley is just an asshole from the word go, but I'll tell you this Ron - that fiery little sister of yours is one hell of a Chaser, not to mention a kick ass flyer!"

"Yeah, and did you see the way Holli hit back that Bludger?" Hermione said cheerfully.

They continued to deliberate for another fifteen minutes until finally coming to a conclusion.

"Well, first I want to say thank you to everyone that tried out, you were all fantastic. When I call your name, head over to the changing rooms and Ron will hand out your robes."

Everyone was fidgeting with apprehension.

"Gryffindor's new Chasers are Alex Boyd, Natalie MacDonald and Ginny Weasley. Our new Beaters are Holli Hælan and Steven Prescott. Congratulations and thank you all again for trying out."

Ron and Harry returned to the pitch were Hermione and Joely were waiting, both of them smirking devilishly which was a bit unnerving.

"Ron and I were wondering if maybe you two wanted to go up on a small ride." Both Hermione and Joely jumped away about three feet from the boys looking scared.

"We won't drop you, we promise, just a little ride?" Ron asked.

"Uh...I -"

"Joely, you will be perfectly safe, I'll hold on to you tight. Hey if anything happens, feel free to hex me to pieces." Joely snorted under her breath and looked to Hermione for her take on the idea.

"All right, but I'm holding you to the hexing promise though, Ron," she said worriedly. Hermione mounted Harry's broom in front of him, while Joely mounted in front of Ron.

"You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be." She was shaking uncontrollably. With that Ron and Harry took flight off into the skies with the girls.

.....................

Draco watched from the stands as Potter and Weasley flew the girls around the pitch. "She never let me take her up," he snarled. He was not only incredibly jealous but mad that it wasn't him that was abolishing her fear of flying.

He watched as Ron began to speed up and fly through the goal posts. All of a sudden Draco's stomach dropped and a demanding voice told him to take flight. He didn't know why, but he obeyed it without question and hovered next to the stand.

.....................

Joely's fear was slowly ebbing away. She had forgotten how much she really did enjoy flying. She closed her eyes and balanced her arms out to the sides.

"You okay?" Ron asked in her ear.

"Great. I forgot how much I love this!"

"WHAT?"

"It's been so long since I've been on a broom."

"You lied!"

"WHAT?" she yelled.

"YOU LIED!" Ron came to an abrupt halt and with Joely not having been holding on, she flew off the front of the handle.

"JOELY!" yelled Draco

Her body was screaming and hurling fast toward the ground when suddenly she felt herself land softly and securely. She felt something warm against her body and opened her eyes and saw what, well whom; had saved her... it was Draco. He was breathing very heavily and looked frightened.

"Oh gods, are you okay?"

"I - I -" she stuttered, barely piecing two words together. She turned her head and buried her face in Draco's robes; sobbing. He ran a soothing hand up and down her back and then cradled her head.

That's when he felt it full force. That ache in his body, that twinge in his heart... his feelings were back in full effect. "Shh... it's okay, you're safe, I've got you, I'm not gonna let go for anything."

She slowed her tears. "Please don't let me go," she begged gazing into his warm but protective eyes before burying her head back into his chest as he slowly descended to the ground. Still in his arms bridal style, he got off the broom and helped her stand, not letting go once, holding on tightly to her quaking body. He didn't know if it was him or her that refused to let go. He assumed both. His robes were drenched but he didn't care in the slightest.

"Joely!" Ron yelled.

Joely turned her head only showing half of her face. Draco gave Ron the evil eye for almost killing her.

"You lied," he said hotly.

"I did not."

"You said you couldn't fly!"

"I did not!"

"You most certainly did. And then up there you said you had forgotten how much you loved it!"

By now Harry and Hermione had landed and were rushing over to the arguing friends.

"I never said I couldn't fly! I said I didn't like to fly, you prick!"

"NO YOU DIDN'T!"

"I DID TOO YOU ASSHOLE! DON'T FIGHT WITH ME, RONALD WEASLEY, YOU WILL LOSE!" Ron looked abashed. "Thank you for saving my life, Draco... and..." she wiped the wet spot in his robes, "for letting me cry on you." She stuck her nose in the air at Ron and marched off toward the castle.

"What in the name of Merlin was that?"

"Oh gods, Weasel, you are so bloody ignorant! She just told you off and proved you wrong," Draco smirked.

"Oh shut up, Ferret Boy."

"Fuck off, Weasel!" A fight was about to break out when Harry separated them, thankfully.

"I don't get it, Harry. She's okay and on the ground now and... she's furious at me. Why is she so mad?"

"You know, Ron; sometimes you can be so insensitive!"

"Whatever, Hermione. I know she said she couldn't fly."

"NO, RON! I'M the one that can't fly!"

Ron was mad enough to hex or break something. "What scares her so bad she has to lie about it?" Ron said quietly tapping his foot on the field.

"She was pushed off a broom fifty feet above the ground when she was thirteen. She almost died!" Draco spat looking disgusted at Ron, at how little he really cared. Draco picked up his broom heading off toward the changing rooms.

Harry's and Ron's mouth just hung open. Hermione just bit her bottom lip, for she already knew Joely's flying secret.