A Powerful and Painful Addiction

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Chapter 12: Loving Enough to Let Go

"I can't start classes tomorrow like this!"

"Miss McGill, there is nothing that I can do," said Madam Pomfrey sternly. "I think it's very becoming."

"Becoming?" said Joely sarcastically. "What's becoming about a mangled mop? Don't you have a spell or potion that can re-grow my hair? Why did you have to cut it?"

Joely was ready to cry. Her aching back was no better than the night of her very first attack, let alone the most recent one, and her hair appeared to have been hacked off by a toddler with safety scissors.

"Miss McGill, there was too much blood matted into your tresses. I had no other choice."

"Couldn't you have cleaned it out like last time? Or left it for me to do?" She was beyond being embarrassed, she was actually bordering on humiliation as a whole. After all the embarrassment she has suffered from Draco and Amanda's rendezvous, the last thing she needed was to be humiliated by her schoolmates. Her once just past shoulder length hair had been her only method of covering the worst of the wounds.

"Madam Pomfrey how could you?" she cried softly, hanging her head.

"Be thankful that I didn't take off more. By the way, Mr. Malfoy has been in here everyday up until when you woke yesterday, checking on your progress. Said he seemed to think it was his fault."

Joely's head snapped up sharply. "If I'm ever in here again, keep him away from me!"

"I will not ban students from this ward because of immature house rivalries, Miss McGill!"

"I don't give two Knuts about him being a Slytherin! I don't want him anywhere near me, especially when I'M OUT COLD; or blood will be spilled!"

"Is that a death threat against Mr. Malfoy?"

"I never said that it would be his blood did I?"

With that, Joely turned around abruptly and shoved open the infirmary doors, heading for the only person that could help her: Hermione.

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

Yes, the new term had just begun and already things were more horrible than Joely thought possible. The hypothermic January winds blew constantly, urging Madam Pomfrey to overstock her supply of Pepper-Up potion; reminding the professors to keep their classroom fires lit; and demanding that the students stay bundled tightly morning, noon and night. January and February were usually the cruelest months... weather wise anyways. But the artic chill blowing across Hogwarts' grounds brought about signs of uncommon cruelty between students.

"Professor Dumbledore, I know I've made some pretty kooky predictions in my time, but I assure you that this new wind, combined with the positions of Neptune and Mars, joined with Jupiter's heaviest moon's alignment with Scorpio is warning that war among students is coming," said Professor Trelawney.

"Professor," began Dumbledore, with an almost smirk spreading his wise wrinkles, "I know of whom you are speaking of, but please take my assurance into consideration that this 'war' that you speak of is nothing more that hasty ways of seeking retribution."

"Albus, I firmly feel that this is going to go seriously wrong! Allowing students to seek revenge on each other if we are privy to it is not only wrong, but it goes against the rules set up by the staff, the school governors; not to mention the ministry as well!"

"Sibyll! You will not speak of this to any of the other professors, or I will be forced to suspend you! Should you disobey past that, I will have no other choice but to take this matter directly to Minister Fudge."

"I'm fighting you on this Albus!" she yelled, exiting his office hastily.

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

She descended down the revolving staircase in an extremely irate state. Lost in the heat of anger, deafness fell upon her ears when she was acknowledged by her students. She began to climb the last staircase to the corridor into her classroom when was greeted by Professors Bridgeman and Dumbledore. Quickly she stood fast and raised her chin proudly.

"Albus, you will just have to take this to Minister Fudge because I will not sit back and condone this war. If you let this happen, you will be facing an insurrection not only from me, but possibly other professors as well. I will not hold my tongue on this! I will fight you on this all the way to the Wizengamot if I have to!"

Professor Dumbledore and Professor Bridgeman exchanged glances of pure confusion. Maybe Professor Trelawney had been tipping the sherry bottles too fast again.

"Please calm down, Sibyll," Dumbledore spoke softly. "Could you please explain yourself? I would like to have knowledge of what I could possibly be taking to Fudge; and what I might be on trial for."

"I will not let you allow this battle between students to be waged!"

"What battle?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Dumbledore! You know of what war I speak of! I just spoke with you about it! You can't con me into thinking I'm a fool!"

"Professor, please," said Albus. "I'm afraid I am not aware of this 'battle'. Professor Bridgeman and I have just arrived back from the ministry. There are a few safety precautions being placed on Miss McGill directly from Mistress Baker of the Society and Minister Fudge."

"Sir?" she asked.

"You are right in saying that there is a battle or war that is on its way. But I assure you, Sibyll that the war I speak of is not between students, but among former companions. I don't know of whom you were speaking to in my office, but I declare on my being Headmaster that it was not I."

"Oh no!" exclaimed Trelawney. "What have I done? Forgive me, Albus. I will go and collect my things."

"There will be none of that, Professor."

"Am I not sacked?"

"Of course not! Professor Bridgeman, kindly round up the professors, Madam Pomfrey, Madam Hooch and Mr. Filch, and take them to the staff room for a meeting. I have a feeling that my impersonator is still ferreting about my office. Professor Trelawney and I will meet you there shortly. Sibyll, follow me please."

"Albus, I am so sorry."

"Sibyll, I will not have you apologizing for something that wasn't your fault. Given your mood displayed in that corridor, I have no doubt in my mind that you acted accordingly," said Dumbledore comfortingly as he and Trelawney ascended the revolving staircase.

Dumbledore gently outstretched his arm to prevent the bug eyed Divination professor from just barging in and scaring away the imposter. Professor Dumbledore closed his eyes, sensing what wards he usually set up around his office had been removed, stunned or triggered. The Headmaster could sense that at least three quarters of the them, if not all had been set off. Whoever this imposter was, he or she was apparently foolish enough to think that even as safe as the school was; thanks to many professors, wards weren't in use. But who would not know that spells and enchantments would surely be set in a Headmaster's office of all places, when it was mandatory that schools around the world place anti-cheating spells on all exams!

But then again, thought Professor Dumbledore, who in their right mind would have the courage and the gall to not only break into a headmaster's or headmistress' office, let alone impersonate the highest authority figure? Maybe that was it; maybe this person wasn't in their right mind.

Slowly he opened the door to find his likeness sitting comfortably in his high-backed leather chair, feet up on the desk, reading a student's file. The "professor" was completely unaware of the real Dumbledore and the professor he had just degraded entering the room.

Then, the impersonator saw two bodies stepping forth into the office that was covered in broken magical devices, shredded books from the ancient days and parchment littering every square inch of the raised platform in which the desk sat. Quickly, he rose.

"Professor Dumbledore!" he gasped.

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"Hermione, there has to be a way to fix this! Please, help me!"

"I'll do all I can, Joely, but I've never really bothered with submersing myself in glamour charms. They've never been of any interest to me. You should ask Lavender or Parvati," she scoffed jokingly.

"NOT FUNNY!"

"I'll try, but no guarantees."

"HA! I've heard about the way you went through all that trouble to dress up for that Yule Ball in your fourth year," she smirked playfully. "It took you three, count three, one, two, three hours to get ready."

"I can count thank you."

"Harry said you were quite drool-worthy."

"Oh bugger," she laughed.

"He told me all about how you had your hair slicked back in a real elegant bun, and mind you he did say elegant; baby-blue dress robes. He said you were quite the looker," Joely grinned.

"Oh sod off!"

"Tee hee."

"Do you want my help or not?"

"Don't you mean expertise?"

"Oh shut up and sit," Hermione commanded jovially.

"Now, not too much off the top, just trim it a little."

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

Joely walked down to the Great Hall Monday amidst stares and whispers. She was so self conscious and worried that all was staring at the one thing she wanted most to remain concealed.

Were they staring at her hair? Yesterday it was horrid, but with Hermione's extensive knowledge of spells and handiness with a wand, her hair was not how it was before Madam Pomfrey's Shearing Charm, but at least now it was all one length and looked half way decent.

Maybe her black school robes weren't covering her mark of selfishness? Is it possible that someone had overheard about her mark? Were rumors spreading already? Joely tossed the thought aside. She knew that she had fixed her robes to hide the maimed flesh. Joely may not have been all that great with glamour charms, but she was excellent as concealing charms. Well... except maybe when she tried to cover Blaise's thoughtful hickey.

Or, maybe Draco hadn't really kept up his promise of keeping her curse a secret? With the mouths that salivated only in gossip that she knew this school possessed, gossip spread faster than spilt milk. And if Pansy was privy to it, Joely knew that the truth (had Malfoy actually told the truth, HA!) was without a doubt twisted and mutated so grotesquely that Joely was sure by now everyone thought she to be some extraterrestrial out to mate with every wizard in England, lay her eggs, and take over the world.

Thankfully, upon arriving in the Great Hall, Hermione rushed to her with lightening speed, carrying today's Daily Prophet. Hermione nearly bowled Joely back into the corridor before coming to a complete and total stop.

"You're never gonna believe this," Hermione said heavily, gasping for air and handing the paper to Joely. "Look!"

"What?"

"Look at the...front...page," she panted.

Joely unfolded the paper to see a grumpy, scowling Slytherin staring back at her menacingly. She gave Hermione a questioning look as if saying "the point is?"

"Read the article," she bantered.

"'Seventh year Hogwarts student wanting to be strictly known by his surname 'Montague,' has been expelled from Hogwarts.'" Joely's eyes grew wide. "'After having failed last year, Montague returned to Hogwarts to hopefully finally graduate. Montague was found to be impersonating Professor Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin: First Class, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot High Court, Chairmen of the International Confederation of Wizards and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; in his own office. Professor Sibyll Trelawney, Hogwarts' credited Professor of Divination, went to have a word with the Headmaster, but was instead verbally degraded by said student. What was said between the professor and the student was not revealed to this Daily Prophet reporter.

"'Upon returning to her classroom, she was met with the true Professor Dumbledore and Hogwarts' newest Professor, Scott Bridgeman who instructs Defense Against the Dark Arts; who was once said to be a vicious, town destroying vampire across the vast United States of America, until his soul was returned nearly two hundred years ago. Professor Dumbledore assured Professor Trelawney that he and the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had been at the Ministry of Magic all day on official business.

"'The headmaster and Divination professor immediately rushed to his office, hoping to find the imposter still present. The two professors entered the office to find it demolished and said seventh year still in his guise, reading the file of Hogwarts' sixth year, Joely McGill.'"

Joely had to stop. She didn't know how much more of this she could bear to read. She had to finish, who knows what Montague had found out before Dumbledore walked in.

"'This Daily Prophet reporter went to the Ministry of Magic; London, to inquire into the authenticity of business oriented professors whereabouts. This reporter was granted a short interview with Minister of Magic: Cornelius Fudge. Minister Fudge confirmed that the professors were indeed there on official business. When asked what the business was pertaining to, the Minister deemed it 'a highly classified matter' that was not to be public knowledge. He refused to comment further.

"'Montague's expulsion was issued Minister Fudge himself. A trial date has yet to be determined. Student Montague will be under close Auror observation at his family's Devonshire estate until his trial by the Wizengamot. When Montague was asked for an interview all he said was that quote: 'I know the secrets that Dumbledore is hiding. I know what's to come. I've read the files. Nothing can stop this.' Hogwarts' headmaster was asked to comment on the situation and only replied that Madam Pomfrey and several representatives from St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries stated; that Mr. Montague was temporarily disturbed.'"

"Can you believe it?" asked Hermione incredulously.

"Oh my god, oh gods no! Blaise!" she yelled across the Great Hall, running at break neck speed to the Slytherin house table.

"Yes, beautiful?" he teased with a mouthful of toast.

"Look!" she cried, sitting down roughly next to him, throwing down the paper.

"What?" he asked in the same tone Joely had once given Hermione.

"READ!"

"Yeah, Montague was expelled, we know. Snape gave us this big speech about -"

"Read it damn it!"

Blaise read over the article for the first time. His eyes registered the same feeling as his body... nothing. Joely assumed he had finished the article when he looked at her, giving the "So?" glance.

"What am I gonna go? I can't hide this!"

"Hide what?"

"Your buddy was reading my file!"

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning my dad is gonna find out!"

It took Blaise a minute or two to fully comprehend the concept of the words that came from her mouth. His eyes quickly moved back down to the paper, and read what she assumed was the last few paragraphs over again. But, after he finished again, she could tell that he was back to thinking along the lines of the "So?" aspect.

"How could he get that from this?"

"How could he not?"

"Duh! Easily, love."

"Answer me this, wise ass, why would a Slytherin be reading the file of another Slytherin?"

"They wouldn't be."

"Good boy, you're catching on."

"Shove it. How do you know that he just wasn't caught reading your file?" he asked snidely.

"I don't, genius!"

"Case closed."

"NO! Case open!"

"Look Jem -"

"Don't call me that," she said coldly, her fists clenching tightly.

"Alright, calm down. Look, Joely, the paper doesn't say 'Joely McGill a Hogwarts Gryffindor.' It just says your name."

"My dad isn't stupid, Blaise. He can read between the lines. He would know that Mount-a-cue or whatever his name is, wouldn't be reading my file if I was a Slytherin."

"What's the worst thing he could do if he found out?"

"Kill me...."

"Don't be stupid!"

"Lock me in the dungeons...."

"Your house has dungeons?"

"Not yet, but that can easily be remedied!"

"Put everything you know about your father into perspective -"

"Ooo, big word, sweet cakes."

"Cow."

"Moo!"

"Look, you want me to be serious about this, so you have to be just as serious. Now, putting all that you know about him, what would he do if he found out?" he asked, shoving a forkful of scrambled eggs into his mouth.

"Make me disappear."

"Joely," he said in a warning tone, swallowing hard.

"Send me away to another school."

"We can't have that now can we?" he smirked. He deliberated on the subject for a few minutes before coming to a conclusion. "We still have twenty minutes before class; I have an idea, come on."

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

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I have a little letter to write, darling," she told him sweetly.

"If that 'little letter' happens to be to Joely's father, consider your days to be numbered to the single digits, Pansy."

"Oh, Draco, what do you care? You two are ages past over. Just forget about it and her! The farther away from you she is the better. Now move!"

"You're not writing that letter, Parkinson!" he scolded, holding on tightly to the bend of her elbow.

"Who's gonna stop me?"

"Me!" yelled a firm, male voice. "I'm sorry I have to do this to you, Mr. Malfoy, and to you again, Miss Parkinson, but I will not let either of you be the cause of the world knowing her location."

"Wait!" they yelled.

"Obliviate!"

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"Leah," said a strong male voice from inside an office, "I have to go home early! Tend to my owls and cancel all my meetings for today, as well as put all my appointments and meetings for tomorrow and Wednesday on hold."

"Yes sir, Mr. McGill," Leah replied in her high voice.

Sean usually cringed when his ninety year old secretary spoke. Her high pitch was uncommonly similar to the shrieks and wails of banshees. Sean couldn't help it though; her white hair and kind face reminded him too much of his beloved grandmother he missed dearly. There was no denying it, he found his grandmother to being one of the sweetest beings to have once walked this planet.

"You've only been here an hour, sir. What should I tell Minister Fudge? You were supposed to meet with him this afternoon about the new safety measures."

"Tell him to wait! I have to speak with my wife immediately."

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you, love."

"If there's anything I can do, Mr. McGill, please let me know."

Sean felt terrible. He had just been horribly short with her and all she wanted to do was help. "I'm sorry that I'm so bitter, Leah. Things aren't quite working out the way as planned."

"That's quite alright, sir. I myself would do anything possible to keep my children safe. But remember, if there's anything, anything at all you need my help with, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Do you know where I can safely lock up my daughter from the outside world?" he asked sincerely.

"I wouldn't suggest locking her up, sir. But I do know of a place where she'll be the safest while not in your care."

"Do tell."

"She's already there."

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

"Good day, sir," said Wimble, taking his master's cloak.

"Thank you, Wimble," he said kindly. "Have you seen my wife today?"

"She's upstairs, sir."

"Thank you. I have a very important matter to discuss with her. Take down the names of all visitors then turn them away. I DON'T want to be disturbed."

"Noelle?" he yelled, climbing the staircase.

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

Noelle sat at her writing desk, addressing a letter to Professor Dumbledore. Her shaking hand was signaling the urgency to finish the letter, for she knew her husband would arrive home as soon as he read the front page the morning paper. She whistled for her owl, and sealed the urgent letter with the McGill crested sealing wax.

"Siren," she said quickly to her midnight black owl, "please get this to Professor Dumbledore as fast as you can!" She gave the bird a gentle stroke on its cheek before it jetted off.

Noelle breathed a sigh of relief. She snapped back to the present and remembered she had to quickly tidy her desk. She didn't want Sean to know about her correspondence with the Hogwarts' professors and the headmaster to keep Joely's house name a secret. She knew that Sean was supposed to meet with Minister Fudge today, but she also knew her husband; Joely's name in a paper that was read worldwide put all meetings aside.

Having neatened her space, she moved to her vanity. The dark mahogany wood still shined with its original luster. It had been her mother's. As her thoughts swayed from her husband to her deceased mother, Noelle looked to the picture of the sweet matriarch that had raised and loved her with all the love a mother could possess, and them some.

Staring at the beauty in the elegant frame brought tears to her eyes. She needed her mother. She needed her advice and she needed her here to help guide her through this trying time. Noelle knew that the only person that would truly understand her dilemma was her mother. After all, it had been her mother that told her and Sean of what was to come ages before the problem was introduced.

She had received an owl of extreme concern from Narcissa immediately after Sean left for work. Sean had engagements before heading into the Ministry so she knew he was more than likely just getting to his office. Narcissa had said that she had been lucky enough to keep the paper out of Lucius' hands, but there was no doubt that once he reached work that it would all be available to him.

"Mom," she said to the frame, "I need you here, I need your help. I know that Sean is going to find out, and I know that he'll take Joely out of Hogwarts."

Tears began to gloss over her already tired eyes.

"For the first time in quite a while she has been really happy. I know that she feels safe there. I've been receiving weekly updates from her head of house on how she's doing. In Minerva's last report before the holidays, she said that Joely's marks were up, she was keeping up with her prefect duties, and she was for the most part staying out of trouble.

"Being pulled out of Hogwarts would not only crush her, but endanger her as well. Everyone treats her like an equal; even those that know of her condition are sticking by her side. I even received an owl from her potions master, Severus Snape. He said her skills exceed her and that she should be in a more advanced class even though he openly admits that Joely can't stand him. I asked her about it and she seconds it. She gets that whole potions thing from Sean, I know she does. Well you remember what my potions skills were like, terrible would be the nice way to go about saying it. I've heard some quite amazing stories from Sean and Lucius about their potions classes when they were at Hogwarts.

"I don't know what to do or say, Mom. I don't know how to go about putting my foot down and telling Sean that the safest place for her is Hogwarts at the moment. How could I tell him that he can't take her away from there? Where would she go?" she asked her mother's picture.

"Noelle?" She heard from outside the bedroom door.

Quickly the door opened, blowing a strong gust of wind mixed with a chill and the spicy aroma of Sean's cologne.

Sean's eyes widened and his stomach dropped when his eyes met with those of his wife's. Her red, tear stained face showed the sadness of the deepest kind. He knelt in front of her, taking her upper body into his strong and protective arms, hugging away her pain.

Noelle pulled away first, staring into the depths of Sean's blue-green eyes. No matter how strong he was, he couldn't hide the worry coursing through his body. She swept away his tousled, snow-flaked hair back and kissed the scrunched lines of his anxious forehead.

"Noelle," he mumbled into the hollow of her neck, "I don't know what to do."

"Sean, I really think that this time she's gonna be okay. I think she needs to stay right where she is. I haven't Seen anything, and both Michael and Megan said that everything is under control." Sean's sudden stand frightened her.

"How can everything be okay?" he yelled, extremely frustrated. "She's had two attacks! Two attacks, Noelle in less than a week! I'm sure you read the paper... that Montague boy told that reporter that he knew of the secrets that Dumbledore was hiding and that no one is safe from what's to come."

"Yes, I did indeed read the article, Sean Harrison," she griped back. "She's made a terrific and full recovery. And just how to do you know that that boy was referring to our daughter? You said that Dumbledore has kept secrets about that school since he started there."

"You read the letter from Pomfrey; the second one was worse than the one she had before she left back for Hogwarts! And I don't know for certain that he was talking about Joely, but this doesn't feel right."

Noelle lifted her head to stare into Sean's orbs. She looked up and down his strong, lean body. She knew that every fiber of muscle in his body was tense and knotted with anxiety. Her eyes followed his jaw line, to stop where it meet his ears, the same ears that always listened intently to her troubles. She moved her eyes once again to the middle of his forehead and moved them down his neck to his quivering Adam's apple. His throat only moved that fast when he was truly worried.

"Sean, I think that we really need to trust that Dumbledore and the other professors will keep her safe. Scott is there as well and you know how much he cares for Joely. She's a little sister to him."

"I don't know who to trust anymore, Noelle. I still have doubts about Lucius sometimes and his whole story about being under a spell."

Sean sighed deeply as Noelle lifted from her chair and moved to look out the huge windows overlooking the north gardens. It seemed as though in every way she moved all Sean could see was that Joely had inherited everything that made up his beautiful wife.

Her sun kissed skin, her golden hair. Noelle turned her head to him for a few moments. Sean could see that Joely's once sapphire eyes had been a gift from her mother. In that second of eye contact, Sean could see how badly Noelle wanted to break down but was staying strong for him. He knew she had always been in stronghold in times of distress, and here she was again, being that fortress.

"Noelle?" he breathed deeply, walking up behind her and encircling her lean body in his arms. "Are you sure that you haven't Seen anything?"

"Sean, I'm beyond positive. Maybe this isn't as big as we're making it out to be? Maybe we're worrying for nothing? I honestly think that my mother would've sent me something."

"Maybe this is that time she was telling us about?" he muttered into her ear.

"What time?"

"Remember when she said that a time would come when you wouldn't be the one to See? This just might be that time."

"Why wouldn't I be the one to know when my daughter is in danger?" she cried softly, leaning her head back against Sean's chest.

"Maybe it's not us that can save her like we thought? You know your mother, Kelly always knew about things way before their time. Do you remember when Joely was only nine months old and she told us that Joely's first love would be Cody?"

"She was something special, wasn't she?"

"Kelly was amazing."

"Oh god, Sean I miss her. I need my mom."

"We'll get through this. I promise you my love, we will get through this. Joely will live to love again and we will make sure that he never finds her."

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

The first full week back into the school routine was harsh. The professors had loaded them with extra homework to "refresh their memories", and the fifth years were getting the brunt of the blow with their O.W.L.s drawing closer and closer as each day passed.

As the week went by, there seemed to more fifth years skipping dinner. Hermione and Joely were very worried when only one Gryffindor fifth year showed at dinner. It was Colin Creevey.

"Colin?" asked Hermione as he sat next to her.

"Hello, Hermione," he said cheerfully.

"Where is everyone?"

"McGonagall smacked them with a six foot report on the importance of ministry officials keeping tabs on Animagi and those attempting to perform the change."

Joely swallowed hard nearly choking.

"They what?" she asked with immense astonishment.

"The Ministry keeps a real close watch on Animagi," said Hermione. "The spell can go horribly wrong, even with those that have mastered it, so the ministry watches them for safety."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, quite serious. Animagi is a very difficult skill. You never know when you might have an unregistered Animagus running loose. Do remember Harry telling you about the Marauders?" Joely nodded with a smirk. Harry's stories about his father and the other marauders had always been something that made Joely laugh. "They have to know what you change into and your markings. I hear that keeping up with them is a lot of tedious paper work."

"Umm, yeah, I bet that it is. But hey, they get paid to push around a quill."

"Wait..." said Hermione, "Colin, why aren't you up working on your report?"

"I just got out of hospital. McGonagall said there were too many important facts and situations discussed, and she wasn't sure that copying someone else's notes would suffice."

"How close are these... tabs?" asked Joely, an extreme look of interest on her face.

"Close enough," remarked Hermione. "Like I said before, there is a registry that you must be listed on. Animagi records are public knowledge though."

"How far back does the registry go?"

"The last I checked it was a century. Why?"

"Who do I have to write to in order to get a copy of this list?"

"There's a book in the library that is automatically updated when a new witch or wizard registers."

Joely jumped up out of her seat, rushing for the doors. She had to see this list. She had to know if... certain information was present. If it was, then the ministry was about to have a big problem on their hands. That is... if Montague really did know all the secrets that Dumbledore is hiding.

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

Wednesday morning of week two, Draco suddenly awoke with a stabbing feeling in his back. He felt like someone was repeatedly dragging a jagged blade across his flesh. He thought the pain had finally subsided when one last sear ripped through him.

"AHH!" he yelled.

Pansy and Tarrah came barreling into his room, faces plastered with looks of intense fear.

"What's wrong?" asked Pansy.

"Both of you, OUT!" he commanded.

"Why did you scream?" asked Tarrah.

"OUT!"

"Yes ma'am."

Draco tried to stand, but the pain was too great. He could barely swing his legs over the bed's edge. His head began to pound and he felt his body temperature drop drastically causing his body to shake with chills. His vision became blurry; he looked straight ahead to see either two or three armoires, when he knew he only had one.

He thought that he must be getting sick. All those late night broom rides in no cloak over the hols was finally catching up to him. He slowly lowered his body back down onto the mattress, but before lying flat, he felt wetness come in contact with his back. He sat up quickly, making his head spin worse, and looked to see a giant puddle sized wet spot.

He patted the spot with his hand. Turning over his palm, the entire underside was coated in blood. Draco felt his stomach screaming at him, letting him know that it was about to empty itself out through his mouth.

Taking deep breaths and exhaling slowly, he was able to calm his stomach down. He reached around with his left hand and felt the blood dripping down his back. He hissed and cursed himself when he touched the marred flesh. He knew he was losing a lot of blood, he knew he needed to see Pomfrey.

"PANSY!"

She came running. "What?" she asked worriedly. "Oh Merlin, Draco!"

"Get me to hospital."

Pansy hobbled every inch of the way to the infirmary with him, over half his body weight supported by her. She kicked the door open with her leg that wasn't holding him up and shouted for Madam Pomfrey.

"Please lower..." she began. Her face dropped when she saw the extremely pale and deathly limp form of Draco. She rushed over to him and removed the burden of his weight off of Pansy. "Stay awake, Mr. Malfoy," she called to him, laying him on a free bed, on his stomach with his head at the end. "I know you want to sleep, but you have to stay awake, Draco! How long has he been like this?"

"He woke up like that," said Pansy, too panicked to cry.

Draco gave a groan of immense pain, causing Pansy to wrap her arms around her stomach in sadness.

"I know, Mr. Malfoy, I know. Miss Parkinson, I need you to fetch me Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore immediately."

"Is it that serious?"

"Go, Pansy!"

She did as she was instructed, returning ten minutes later with her head of house and the headmaster. Pansy rushed back to Draco's side, whispering in his ear that he was going to be okay. But it was hard to try to make him believe that when she wasn't convinced herself.

Pansy looked at her authority figures faces, both looking grave and for the first time in her life, she saw worry in the eyes of her potions master.

"Miss Parkinson, I must ask two huge favors of you today," said Dumbledore.

"Yes, Professor?"

"One, you mustn't relay to anyone what has happened here. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, your housemates and schoolmates have seen Mr. Malfoy's situation while venturing here. But, you must not let on the seriousness of this."

"Of course, Professor Dumbledore."

"Second, I must ask that you not return to this ward while Mr. Malfoy is under Madam Pomfrey's care."

Pansy's eyes enlarged at the amazement of his statement.

"I know that you care very deeply for Mr. Malfoy, but what is happening to him is a very serious matter. The recovery process is just as painful as the injury itself, not only to go through, but to watch as well. You will be more of a help to him once he has healed."

Pansy deliberated on Dumbledore's "favors." These weren't favors; these were orders to keep her mouth shut, and to stay away from Draco until further notice. She came to the conclusion that he really was as cracked as some said, but it wasn't like she could just say no and he would tolerate that.

"Yes, Professor."

She gave Draco a warm kiss on his cold, nearly lifeless cheek and whispered, "I love you" into his ear. She meandered down the walkway to the doors when they opened with Professor Bridgeman and Joely walking in. Joely stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing Pansy staring at her with mad anger.

"This is your fault," Pansy hissed.

"My fault?"

"Yes, your fault. ALL of this is because of YOU! Go back to hell where you came from."

"I've been through hell and back, I have no intention of EVER having to go through that again!"

Joely gave up on further attempts to talk civilly with Pansy. Pansy gave her a look of death and left the infirmary.

"What's her problem?"

Joely faced forward to see Professor Dumbledore and Snape concealing a bed. She looked at them curiously, wanting a hint into Pansy's outburst of blame. As though they had read her mind, they parted.

Her mouth dropped sharply. She rubbed her eyes roughly, hoping against all odds that her retinas were relaying false messages to her brain about what was lying in that very uncomfortable bed. She took a few steps closer, but stopped at the onset of weakness.

"No," she whispered.

Her knees began to buckle, but Scott caught her, and then helped her stand upright. Without warning, tears exploded from her eyes like a bursting water pipe.

"NO!" she screamed, falling hard to her knees no doubt bruising her kneecaps, covering her face with her hands. Scott helped her to her feet once again, and led her out of the in the infirmary.

"Jem," Draco groaned.

Dumbledore turned back to the ailing Draco. He took a deep breath and then turned his attention to Snape.

"The safety precautions must be implemented immediately. He's getting stronger by the day, perhaps even by the hour. Her attacks are becoming more frequent, and they will only get more painful as his hatred grows. Now that Mr. Malfoy is experiencing the pain, it's only a matter of time before her friends begin to feel something as well. Not something of this magnitude, but something none the less. Poppy says that this isn't the first time this has happened to him. According to her records, he only had passed out and was found in the hall by Mr. Zabini back in September. So, apparently, he's more involved then initially thought."

"Yes, Headmaster," said Snape.

"Severus, I must also ask a favor of you."

"Yes?"

"The Malfoys and the McGills need to be notified presently of this ordeal. I will be writing to both families, but I must ask that you notify the McGills as well, not only as her potions professor, but also as her head of house."

"Sir, if I may be so bold, is the secret of her placement to be that tightly held?"

"The last thing that Miss McGill needs burdened on her shoulders should not have to be an explanation to her father on how she defied seven hundred years of history to become a Gryffindor."

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

"Nice hair, McGill," jeered Pansy as she slowly walked past Joely.

Joely only returned with a fake smile.

"I hear that it was quite a mess before Miss Perfect Prefect Granger came to your aid. It's still a mop, but it's not too noticeable."

"Stuff it, Parkinson!" bellowed Ron.

"Oh, so now you need the Weasel King to help you out of your jams? Too pathetic to take a little friendly banter? Maybe your daddy can come save his supposed Slytherin of a daughter?"

Joely made a lunge for Pansy, but stopped just short when she saw Professor McGonagall striding towards Pansy's back.

"What was that, Pansy?" she smirked.

"Oh please, McGill," she scoffed. "Are you afraid to set someone off knowing that if dear old daddy found out that you were a Gryffindor, he would pull you out of here? At least you'd be at another school ruining their students' lives, instead of ours."

"Miss Parkinson!"

Pansy's eyes bulged and Joely smiled wickedly. Pansy turned around to see the furious face of an angered Professor McGonagall.

"Good morning, Professor. Lovely day, isn't it?"

"Yes... it is. I hear that it's going to be a lovely night as well. I assume I am correct in saying that it will also be a lovely night for you to spend with me in detention?"

"WHAT?" Pansy screamed.

"Aww, did you have plans, Pans?"

"That'll be enough, Miss McGill."

"Sorry, Professor."

"Miss Parkinson, you will report to my office at seven o'clock sharp; my animal cages need cleaning. I will speak to Professor Snape promptly."

When McGonagall was out of earshot and sight, Pansy quickly advanced on Joely.

"Talk about halitosis," remarked Joely at Pansy's closeness.

"I don't know what that means, but when I find out you'll regret it."

"It means that you -" Hermione began but was cut short by the palm of Harry's hand muffling her mouth.

"Wise move, Potter."

"Just let it go, Pansy. C'mon, we have to go," said Blaise, whisking her quickly away.

Silence was all that was heard as the Gryffindors made their way to the greenhouses for Herbology. Professor Sprout had advised them to bring their winter cloaks as the temperature was dangerously low. Thank the gods for warming charms.

"Today, you're going to learn the proper way to plant Mallowsweet seedlings. Professor Sinistra has asked me to procure the plants for her fifth year O.W.L.s. In front of you and your partner are three pots; all different sizes. As this plant and all other plants grow, you must make accommodations for them to continue on a healthy course. As your seedling hopefully grows, it will be your responsibility to repot them when and if the time arrives. Can anyone tell me what Mallowsweet is used for? Miss Abbott?"

Hannah shook her head and replied, "No, Professor."

"Very well, Miss McGill."

Joely didn't respond.

"Miss McGill?" Sprout repeated.

Joely continued to stare blankly into the empty pot in front of her. Finally, Harry roughly nudged her in the ribs.

"What?" she snapped gruffly.

"Sprout," he mouthed.

She turned her attention to her Herbology professor.

"Miss McGill, can you identify the main use of Mallowsweet?"

"Uh..." she stammered, "no."

"Five points from Gryffindor. Next time pay attention. Mallowsweet, well namely the leaves are burned and the fumes and flames are used by Centaurs to help with their stargazing. As I said before, these are for Professor Sinistra's O.W.L.s. I would hate for one of you to have to tell her that she will be one plant or more short because you were careless. These are your plants, I will help you with the basic care, but the majority of the responsibilities lie in you and your partner's hands."

"Excuse me, Professor?"

"Yes, Mr. Longbottom?"

"What is the growth rate?"

"Slow, but that by no means that your care can be at a lax level. Please copy down these notes on the proper ways to care for your baby seedlings. Now, watch me closely...."

Approximately twenty minutes later, Professor Sprout had concluded her visual aid of the proper planting technique. She handed out the seedlings and stepped back.

"Soil and fresh compost are back here and your water canteens are in front of you. Please wear your dragonhide gloves as the seedlings are very delicate. You may begin."

"What is the matter with you?" asked Harry as he and Joely waited in line to fill their smallest pot with soil.

"Huh? Oh, nothing."

"Bollocks."

"I just have a lot to think about and it's getting to me."

"As in?" he asked sincerely.

"Well, maybe Pansy -"

"Joely, don't be foolish enough to take what that slag said to heart."

"I think she's right, Harry," she whispered as they walked back to their station.

"Whose life have you ruined? I know it hasn't been mine, nor Ron's, nor Hermione's, or anyone else's off the top of my head."

She didn't answer, for at that moment, the greenhouse door opened, letting in a freezing blast of icy winter air.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Professor Sprout."

"Don't be silly, I was just grading papers. What can I do for you, Professor Bridgeman?"

"Miss McGill is wanted in the headmaster's office."

The sixth years looked at Joely in questionable stares. Bridgeman jerked his head toward the door, telling Joely to come with him.

"I will help Mr. Potter with you seedling," said Sprout.

"Thank you, Professor."

They began to make their way down the corridor when Joely decided to break the nerve wracking silence.

"What's going on?"

"Don't ask questions," said Scott sternly.

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

"Miss McGill, please sit down," said Professor Dumbledore politely. She nodded and sat as requested. "I know you're wondering why I asked you here."

"It did cross my mind, sir."

"As you well know, your attacks are becoming more frequent, and they're also beginning to affect others. Now, Mr. Malfoy is the only victim so far, but I'm concerned that more may arise; especially with Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, and Miss Granger."

Joely looked down at her feet. She had a stabbing pain in her chest at what was about to happen next.

"Certain... measures of safety need to be taken to ensure your well being and the security of your friends and schoolmates."

"There's no need to continue, Professor. Can I at least have a few hours to say goodbye?"

"What are you talking about, Joely?"

"I'm a danger to this school; you're expelling me."

Dumbledore gave a hearty laugh and said, "No, Miss McGill."

"Huh?" she asked astonished.

"Hogwarts is the safest place for you to be while not in the care of your parents. Unless, you want to leave...."

"NO!" she blurted. "I wanna stay."

"Good. There are a few extra rules for you to abide by. I cannot stress enough the importance that you follow these rules. First, your prefect duties will be cut short to make sure you are back in the common room by nine and they'll be divided up evenly among the other prefects.

"Secondly, do not under any circumstances hesitate to let someone know if you See or feel something out of the ordinary. I have reason to believe that he is receiving inside help as a means of strengthening."

The list went on for what seemed like hours. When Dumbledore seemed to actually be boring himself with beating around the bush and implying that she should basically lock herself in her room forever, he came to an almost close.

"Next, I want you to maintain only an acquaintance like relationship with Mr. Malfoy. I ask that you keep your feelings at a minimum. I know you can't help who you have chemistry with, but, the stronger the bond between you, the stronger the hate will grow. As I said before, the attacks are affecting Mr. Malfoy and he is not capable of handling them as well as you. A few more could very well be the death of him. For his safety and health, please put your feelings aside."

"It's already done, sir."

"Lastly, I must ask that you refrain from leaving the castle except for classes."

"WHAT? You can't do that!"

"I must, Joely. You will leave the castle only for your lessons. Trips to Hogsmeade and Quidditch matches are off limits. Your professors know of these guidelines, so there's no use in trying to convince them otherwise. They will also be keeping a close eye on you during class and in the corridors."

"Sir, professors are always at the Quidditch matches including yourself. By Ministry of Magic law, article 152, section B, line 8: 'Professors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry must at all times attend Quidditch season games while students of the attending school are on the playing pitch.' Now that is a rule sir, and you said that rules must be followed."

"Yes, I did indeed," he replied with a smile. "I must ask though, did you memorize the rules and regulations that have been set for this school?"

"There's not much else to read in the hospital ward."

"I guess I should speak with Poppy about some new reading material," he laughed softly.

"But, Professor, teachers are everywhere in Hogsmeade, not to mention that it's the only non-Muggle settlement in all of Britain, so everyone there knows magic; I would be well protected. You have to let me go into Hogsmeade! There's a trip tomorrow! Hermione and I where going to scout out dresses for the Valentine's ball next month!"

"I'm sorry, Miss McGill, but by the order of the Ministry of Magic, and the Mystical Society, you are banned from Hogsmeade and Quidditch until further notice."

"You can't do this to me! This isn't fair!"

"I assure that I, as well as your professors will enforce these rules. But I do agree that it is quite unfair to revoke a student's liberties."

"Can't you vouch for me that it's unfair to 'revoke my liberties' and say that I need that leave? I may be foolish and stupid but I deserve a break just as much as the next student or professor."

"The orders were signed and sealed by Minister Fudge and Mistress Baker. The document is currently in the hands of the Office of Magical Law Enforcement. Everything is complete and legal."

"All right, I get the point. As of right now, I'm not going anywhere until the end of term," she sighed. "So much for not giving up without a fight."

"I didn't say that you can't fight it, I just said that I couldn't fight it," he winked. "But I do believe that you are late for lunch. Dismissed."

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

"Here, Mr. Malfoy," said Madam Pomfrey. "Take this and go freshen up. But should you decide to bathe, please do carefully mind your back. You're still a bit weak and your internal injuries are still on the mend."

Madam Pomfrey had done more than wonders for Draco. She was now what was secretly deemed the miracle worker among the professors. His back seemed to have healed over with no indication of scarring, but the damaged muscles were still tight and sore to the touch. He grabbed a fresh change of clothes, his toiletry items along with the purple bottle given to him by Madam Pomfrey, and made his way to the prefect's bathroom.

He turned on the sink taps, filling the basin with steamy, hot water, setting his kit and the bottle of mysterious liquid on the back of the sink, making sure not to disturbed his back too much. He remembered that Pomfrey had been feeding him this clear potion from this bottle since his 'accident', as she called it.

Turning off the taps, he looked into the mirror to see a near fully recovered Draco staring back at him. His skin was still slightly paler than normal, but the dark circles under his eyes were gone along with the sunken appearance as well.

It was time for his daily dose, he could feel it. He reached for the delicate porcelain bottle. The smell was nowhere near to the taste. There was no doubt in his mind that the smell was worse than that of a horribly burnt potion.

"Bottoms up," he said quietly.

It had a taste that he couldn't describe. Well to be completely honest, it had many tastes. The first flavor to strike his taste buds was chocolate, but in the back the texture was of a dark roasted coffee. Draco knew a good up of coffee. He thought back to when he and Joely would consume pot after pot of coffee to see who could stay up the longest. Bah, he thought, childish games. He let the flavors roll around in the back of his throat on his tongue till the after taste took affect. Mmm, vanilla, he said in his mind. But he had to admit, that whatever the dominant taste was, was good.

Draco looked into the mirror once more while swiping his bed matted hair back. He blinked several times thinking that his mind was playing tricks on him. For a moment, he thought that he was going mad. Was he really going nutters, or had his eyes just turned lavender? He shook his head, and then dunked his whole face in the near scalding water. Thrashing his head back and staring at his reflection, the color was gone, and his eyes were quicksilver gray again.

His back began to ache and his body felt tired. He brushed his teeth, washed his face, changed into his fresh clothes, and left to return to the infirmary. He started 'round the corner, but jumped back when he saw Joely walking hurriedly with a look of pure hatred on her face. The last thing he needed was for her to see him in his weakened condition. Little did he know, she knew the full extent of his 'condition' and just how weak he was.

He backed himself into the wall hard enough to look as though he was attempting to melt through it back into the bathroom. She walked past the intersecting corridor with her arms pin straight at her sides and her hands clenched.

"Joely!" he heard someone yell. Following the voice, Draco saw Professor Bridgeman rush down the corridor after her, thankfully not seeing him. Quickly and quietly, Draco moved to the opposite wall, moving his head just barely around the corner to see what was about to take place.

"Wait!" the professor called, bringing her to abrupt halt by grabbing her upper arm almost to the bruising point.

"Stay away from me, Scott!" she yelled, jerking her arm from his grasp.

"Don't give me that tone! It's for your own good!"

"I wish everyone would stop worrying about my 'own good' and move their probing noses to how I feel!"

"We do Jay. I know I do, I know Dumbledore does. Why do you think he told you to keep your feelings under control?"

"For the love of god, Scott! I wasn't talking about my feelings for Draco! I wasn't talking about the feelings that are going to kill me!"

Draco's ear perked up. "HA! She still cares!"

"I was talking about how it makes me feel to know that all of you are doing your damnedest to lock me up like some caged animal!"

"How are we locking you up like an animal?" he hissed.

"Banishing me to the confinements of this castle except for my lessons, I can't visit Hogsmeade; I can't go to any Quidditch matches! I wanted to see Slytherin get their asses kicked by Gryffindor, but considering the fact that no one can let me figure this shit out for myself, I can't do squat! Hell, I can't even walk around the freakin' lake!"

"We tried to let you figure this out by yourself once before and remember what happened? Dearing Field was nearly destroyed, not to mention Becca and her mother. You can't do this on your own! Wait, I don't remember you being banned from Hogsmeade and Quidditch matches."

Joely reached up and flicked him on the forehead. "Now, you do!"

"Dumbledore knows what's best."

"And I know that the harder you people try to lock me away permanently, the more ways I will find to escape."

"You go out there and even if you're alone for just a second or two could be your last! Do you really want to go like that? Do you really want to leave everyone?"

"Right now death sounds better then never being able to see civilization again until the end of term! At least I'd be free!"

"Would you rather be dead and free; or would you rather follow orders and know that one day you'll have Cody all over again, Jay?"

The pregnant pause started to really get to Draco. Maybe Amanda was wrong? Maybe Cody's death really was an accident? But he could tell that Tyler was right about one thing, Cody was NOT a subject to bring up with her. There was something stronger between them then he thought.

"I'm tired of loving people," she whispered, gasps of air following her words. "Everyone I fall for ends up being destroyed. I loved Cody and he's dead, I loved D... D... him, and now he's out to kill me, plus, I can't forget the plus part, plus... Draco is close to death. And who knows what he'll do to Harry, Hermione and Ron when he finds me."

Draco's mind began to spin a mile a minute. He didn't remember being told that he was close to death.

"What do you mean Draco is close to death? I was just in there before Dumbledore sent me for you, he's alive and awake."

"Professor Dumbledore said that one or two more attacks would likely kill him. I can barely handle them, and I've been having them for years. If I can barely take it, then what kind of toll do you think they're taking on Draco?"

"I didn't know, Joely, really I didn't."

"I can't do that to him, Scott, he deserves better than that. After all he's been through, he deserves more than what I can give him. The only thing I can think of is to find a way to get him to go back to Pansy, she genuinely cares for him even if he doesn't give a Knut about her, plus she could love him better than I ever could tenfold."

"You love him enough to let him go, Jay."

"I don't think I know what love is anymore."

"You do know and you know it. Caring enough to let go is a big, big step. Your grandmother always told me that sometimes in order to go forward, you have to take a few steps back. You stepped back and realized that you needed to let him go, now you can go on with your life and wait for that day when all that's in front of you is a life of love and happiness. You love everyone enough to know when you need to let go."

"Don't give me all that 'love and happiness' bullshit. Love and happiness is a fuckin' fairytale," she said severely.

"It's not bullshit and it's not a fairytale. Go on from here, Joely, and live a new life."

Joely collected herself and that look of anger returned to her pink face. She gave Scott a scowl then shoved him backwards a good ten feet.

"How the hell can I go on with my life when no one will back off enough to let me live one?" she yelled, turning her back to him and jogging off.

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

Needless to say Joely's Saturday had been spent going back and forth between Gryffindor Tower and the library. Her roaring blaze of anger resulted in her checking out as many books as Madam Pince would allow on how to bring about extreme torture on vampires.

Many of the hexes and curses had seemed really tempting to try on the DADA professor, but unfortunately all of the spells could be traced back to the book she had, and, she knew that the vulture Pince would rat her out should she be questioned. Professor Bridgeman tried as hard as he could to help her find a way to occupy her "free" time (no thanks to him), but he didn't really want to push her, should she really be angry enough to try some of those spells.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron had promised to bring her back sweets from Honeyduke's, but Hermione admitted that they honestly had forgotten. She shrugged it off and told them that it wasn't a big deal, but deep down it was a big deal. It wasn't that they had forgotten the sweets; it was that while she sat miserably in the castle, her friends were off having so much fun to the point where they forgot about her being back at the castle. She could tell that it must have been some trip.

"Would you just tell me what this stuff is?" groaned Draco.

"Madam Pomfrey gave it to me. She said that she had been looking for you for ages, and she asked me to give it to you."

"I was in the library all day. Just tell me what this is, Pansy."

"Don't bother with titles, I hear it tastes pretty good," she smiled slyly.

"Then why don't you have a go at it. I have enough potions to take to start a collection of the empty bottles. I'm NOT taking this one!"

"Do not talk to me like that, Draco Malfoy!"

Draco's smile twisted. Feisty little thing.

"Now drink it! Or I will FORCE it down your throat!"

"Just tell me what it'll do to me."

"It'll just... make you feel like yourself again."

"Of all the faces I have seen you make, that one really bothers me."

"DRINK IT!"

Draco conjured a glass and poured the amount of a few good swallows. Having not paid attention while pouring, he never noticed it change colors. He stared at the mischievous glint in Pansy's eyes as he began to tilt the glass to his lips. Pansy started to bounce excitedly on the balls of her feet when she thought he was finally going to drink the concoction as Blaise walked up behind Draco. She cursed softly when the glass left his lips. Malfoy gave her an odd look and she returned with that smile that always told him she was up to something.

"Are you going to say something, or are you just going to stand there and watch me drink this before Pansy pours it down my throat?"

"Oh, don't mind me, I'm just here to assist should it be needed," Blaise said in a joking tone.

"DRINK!" yelled Pansy.

Draco once again turned the cup up to his lips. Just one drop touched his tongue and his eyes snapped to the contents of the glass. He immediately threw down the drinking instrument, the glass and its contents scattering everywhere when he saw the red and gold swirling around.

"BLOODY HELL! I'M NOT DRINKING THAT!"

"ASSISTANCE!" yelled Pansy at the top of her lungs.

Before Draco knew what was going on, Blaise had him down on the floor; his legs in a Leg-Locker, his arms magically bound above his head with Blaise holding his mouth open.

"Pansy, get the bottle!" he yelled.

She scrambled to figure out where Draco had placed the black tourmaline bottle. She began to panic when it was nowhere to be found.

"Hurry up, Pans! I can't hold him forever!"

"Got it!" she shrieked cheerfully.

She shoved the end into his mouth and proceeded with completely emptying the contents. Draco's eyes bulged and he sputtered as too much was filling his mouth before he could swallow quickly enough. Realizing that it was all gone, Draco quickly turned his head to the side as Blaise and his bindings were released. Malfoy gasped for the air that his lungs desperately cried out for as he started to cough and spit up liquid. What scared Pansy and Blaise the most was when they saw that the liquid was thick like blood and black.

"Pansy, how much was in that bottle?"

"It... it was practically full," she said nervously while biting her nails.

"You stupid bint, the book said only half a glass!"

"Well..."

"Draco? Draco, can you hear me?" asked Blaise hurriedly.

"Oh, Draco!" wailed Pansy. "Draco, honey speak up! Please?"

Instantly, Draco stopped coughing and spitting up the goopy mess and Pansy fell to his side, rubbing his back in a very comforting and motherly manner. Suddenly, all the oils lamps and the fire went out while noises resembling the sound of roaring lions filled the room. Little Slytherins were screaming and bumping into tables and chairs as well as other people as they searched for light.

"SHUT UP!" roared a female. "Lumos! Incendio!"

The fire was lit again and the oil lamps were burning bright. Children rose up off the floor and others stopped running frantically around the room. Everyone realized that it was Tarrah that had brought order back to the Slytherin Common Room.

"What in the bleedin' hell is going on?" she snapped.

"It was Pansy's fault," blamed Blaise.

"My fault? It was your idea to give it to him in the first place!"

"Enough!" Tarrah screamed.

"YOU IDIOTS!" roared the most evil voice anyone had ever heard. "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

Everyone searched around thinking that an intruder had entered their common room. The voice spoke again and Tarrah, Blaise and Pansy realized that it was Draco. His body rose as though he was being pulled up from behind and Pansy shrilled in fright.

Draco's face showed him to be feeling murderous rage. His eyes were dangerously narrow; veins were nearly pushing completely through the skin on his forehead and neck, his upper arms bulging as his fists clenched. Pansy and Blaise swore that he would sprout horns at any moment.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME? I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

Pansy, Blaise, Tarrah, as well as all the other students made a run for cover when Draco reached into his cloak for his wand. All he found though was an empty pocket. Apparently Blaise had disarmed him when he was bound.

"STUPEFY!"

Blaise and Pansy waited a few seconds after the incantation before slowly popping their heads up from behind the couch. Standing directly over Draco was Professor Snape, pointing his wand to the two trouble makers; disgust cemented on his sallow skin.

"Over here, now!"

Parkinson and Zabini meandered like children in the worst trouble of their lives. For all they knew, they very well could be.

"Explain!"

"We just thought..."

"Silence! I don't want to hear your pathetic attempts at lying. One week detention for both of you. You should be on bended knee thanking me that it's not more."

Pansy and Blaise let out sighs of relief. Professor Snape rarely ever made detentions harsh on the Slytherins if he was the one handing them out. They both watched their greasy-haired head of house pour a slime green potion down Draco's throat and levitate him up to his room.

"That potion should keep him asleep until Monday morning. If he awakes before then, I will have your heads, so you best make sure this common room stays quiet. Miss Loughlin, should these two step out of line, report it presently."

"Yes, Professor," said Tarrah.

"You were lucky I was nearby. Mr. Malfoy could've Avada-ed all of you instantly."

"Professor Snape," began Blaise, "I have Malfoy's wand."

"Draco needs a wand about as much as Potter needs another scar."

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

"It's such a wonderful feeling seeing you broken and bleeding there on the floor," a cold voice hissed. "Now you know what I went through when you abandoned me for that Mudblood Rawlings!"

"Help me, please," the battered girl wept.

"Help you? You want me to help you when you wouldn't help me? You really are selfish!"

"I tried to help you, but I told you that I wasn't going to join the dark side to do it."

Immediately following her words, a kick with the force of a hundred men charged into her stomach, sending her bruised body up a few inches off the floor and blood to spurt out of her mouth. She wanted this to be over with. That look of wanting to die was all that could be seen on her abused face. She wanted to be dead and safe from him.

"When you really want to help someone, you'll go to any means to do it! You didn't want to help me! You wanted to go whoring around!"

"That's not true," she whimpered. "I did want to help you, but I didn't want to help you destroy the world in the process."

"You stupid slut!"

"I'm not a slut."

"You're nothing - but a waste - of life!"

"I...am...worth...something."

"Who told you that? Rawlings? You were worth nothing more to him than a pretty little arm trophy," he spat venomously. "He was after just one thing from you. After that, he was just gonna throw you away, Joely."

"Cody loved me. He loved me for who I was, not what runs through me."

THUD, echoed through the room as the right foot of the dark shadowed man came in contact with her face.

"I loved you! I would've done anything for you!"

"Then why are you hurting me like this? Why did you kill Cody?"

CRACK, went two her ribs as she was kicked again.

"You asked me to, remember?" he teased. "When you left me for him, you were praying that the day would come when I would rid your life of that filth."

"I never did that." She tried with all her might to yell just as he was yelling, but her voice was just as weak as her body. "He never hurt me. You're the one hurting me."

"You think what you're feeling is pain?" he laughed heartily. "You think being black and blue, having a few broken ribs and vomiting blood is pain? Then try this, CRUCIO!"

On and off for hours the Cruciatus Curse attempted to break her down to micro size. Minute after minute, hour after hour ticked by, and when he was done, she was still alive... barely yes, but alive. How could someone that claimed to "love her", do this to her?

"Do you hear that my pet? Do you hear the rats calling for each other? They smell your blood; they smell you're rotting insides. They're ready to feast. It's been quite awhile since they had anything remotely appetizing. By the way," he laughed, standing in the doorway, "cheer up, you're not the first to have died in here."

"Don't leave me here, Damon. Please don't leave me," she cried weakly.

With all the power she could find within herself, she opened her eyes to see a black rat with red eyes lapping up the blood encompassing her head. Not only the animal, but the rat soon to be rats drinking the liquid that kept her alive was making her stomach crunch, only to bring about more pain. As there had not been food in her stomach for days, she could feel the stomach acid climbing up her throat to project itself out.

She slowly tried to move her hands to her face. She looked down slightly to see two of her fingers contorted into odd directions, and all her knuckles scabbed. She couldn't remember it, but it looked as though she had put up a good physical fight. But then again, being thrown against wall after wall was bound to scratch up a knuckle or two.

"I hate you... Draco."

"Draco? Draco?"

"What?" he snapped groggily, picking his head up from its resting place on the table.

"Wake up. Lunch is almost over and you haven't touched a thing."

"Shove it, Blaise, I'm not hungry."

"Fine, let not eating be the death of you. You won't be the first to die here."

"What did you say?"

"You won't be the first to die here."

"Where did you hear that?" asked Draco with extreme paranoia in his voice. "Was I talking in my sleep?"

"Easy, mate. I just said it, and no, you weren't talking in your sleep. But it is true you know; people have died in this school."

RING!

"We have to get outside, it's Monday and Care of Magical Creatures is next."

"I'll meet you out there," said Draco, jumping out of his seat.

"Where're you going?"

"To get some questions answered."

Draco ran as fast as possible without knocking anyone over while searching corridor after corridor. Well, he was trying not to knock anyone over at the least. The last thing he needed, while in a rush, was to have to explain to a professor why he knocked some little whiney first year over.

"McGill!" he yelled, finding her going down the steps leading out onto the grounds.

She stopped, groaning lowly. "What do you want, Ferret?"

"I wanna talk to you... alone," he said nastily, eyeing the trio.

"Get stuffed, Malfoy," remarked Harry.

"Why don't you go ahead and I'll meet you in class. Tell Hagrid I'll be right there, please," said Joely.

"Joely? What about the new...?"

"Hermione, I'll be fine. Unless Malfoy wants to die right before his favorite class, he won't try anything."

"Pretty sure of yourself aren't you?" scoffed Draco.

Joely smiled reassuringly as she watched the trio and the rest of the hurrying students empty the stairs and the corridor surrounding them.

"What do you want?" she hissed.

"I want some answers."

"Malfoy, find someone else's homework to copy. I had to steal Hermione's while she was sleeping."

"Not homework answers, you stupid bint." Joely's head shot back in surprise. "I wanna know that the hell you've done to me."

"Aww, are you feeling guilty about the whole Amanda situation?"

"Relieved yes, guilty no. I had a lot of pent up frustration and she ridded me of it perfectly. Sure it took three days, but hey, I'm not complaining, she was pretty good. I still keep in contact with her."

"You're sick."

"No, just a man with needs," he smirked. "Needs you decided to toy with instead of fulfill."

"Now who's the whore, Malfoy?"

"Still you."

"Oh for Merlin's sake, Draco, you didn't seem to mind your 'needs' and 'frustration' too much when you turned me down. You seem to forget, I woke you up, on the top none the less, in practically nothing and what happens? You, you, Draco Malfoy, the acclaimed Slytherin Sex god turned down me, a virgin and a Gryffindor to boot."

"All part of my master plan." Draco mentally crushed himself down to a pulp. He didn't have a "master plan." Even with all his anger built up against her, he stuck by his words of not wanting it to end up as a one night stand. But yet, it felt good to tease her like this. "You toyed with me, I toyed with you, and in the end... we both got what we wanted. I wanted release, and oh did I get it, and you wanted a taste of your own medicine."

"Yeah that's it, Malfoy, I fuck around with people's emotions in hopes of getting thrown out like yesterday's trash."

"It wouldn't surprise me in the least."

"Fuck you, Malfoy! Actually I take that back, un-fuck you!"

"You would like to, wouldn't you?"

"I'd rather play around with Blaise."

That struck a nerve with Draco. He remembered that while visiting Blaise over the hols, the two of them had made a bet that Blaise couldn't seduce her. He suddenly felt queasy.

"Now tell me what you want, I have to get to class."

"Did I not make myself crystal clear the first time? I want to know what you've done to me!"

"I haven't done jack shit to you!"

"Then why does my back feel like it's been ripped and mangled? Why did I wake up one morning with my bed covered in blood?"

"Because you're stupid," she said coldly.

"Why am I having these visions and dreams of you being tortured?"

"I reiterate... because - you're - stupid!"

"How am I the stupid one?" he shot back.

"I told you to give up on me? Did I not?"

"And didn't I tell you that I wasn't going to?" he said flatly. "I may hate you right now but I stick to my words."

"I told you to forget that I exist and move on! But you wouldn't listen!" she said loudly, dropping her books and throwing her hands up in the air in frustration.

"I don't take orders from anyone!"

"Funny, you still cowl like a dog with its tail between its legs when your father orders you around. He's not the same person he used to be Draco. He's different from the first time I met him."

"You run and hide in a corner when you think your father is close to finding out that you're a Gryffindor!"

"You leave my father out of this! You have NO idea what would happen to me if he ever found out! But, you know, you like a good fight so maybe you should tell him? Do it, I dare you."

"Oh piss off, McGill."

"Kiss my ass, Malfoy."

"Would that make all this shit that's happening to me stop?"

"No," she scoffed.

"I want this pain to stop. I want these dreams to go away so I can sleep for a change. I want this woman's voice out of my head, and I want it now!"

"Trust me, Malfoy, even Daddy can't buy you out of this one." Then his last words played back in her head. "Wait, what voice?"

"Some woman with a misty voice keeps telling me not to give up on you, that I'm the only one that can save you. She keeps telling me I'm close."

"Have you ever seen her face?" Joely barely gulped out.

"Once. Just her eyes though. They were..."

"...pale brown, almost green," they said in unison.

"Who is she?" he asked.

"None of your damn business, Ferret!"

"You're such a bitch!"

"Do you really think I give a shit!" she yelled.

"Who the hell is Damon?" he spat.

At just the sound of his words, Joely grabbed her stomach and fell to the floor. Draco refrained from helping her as she rocked herself back and forth like a rocking chair in what he assumed was the lull the pain. He counted the time that tick-tocked away until she stood up, staggering in her movements.

"Never say that name to me again," she growled in a voice not her own. "Never mention that name again."

She reached down to the books next to her feet and descended down the main steps and to her Care of Magical Creatures class. Draco stood rooted to his spot when the doors flew open on their own.

"Who's the woman talking to me?" he yelled, standing on the doorstep.

"My Grandma Kelly!"

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

"You're ten minutes late, Joely."

"Sorry, Hagrid," she said bumbling to her chair, still holding tightly to her stomach.

"See to it you're early next time," he smiled.

"Will do, I promise."

He nodded cheerfully as he began his lesson from where he left off. "Now, phoenixes are very loyal and can carry many times their weight. Over 'ere, we have a very rare specimen of the creature... this is a purple phoenix. Only three of 'er kind have ever been recorded to have green eyes an' this beauty right 'ere, is one of them. We're every lucky to have 'er. The feathers..."

Joely stared at the bird in understanding of its situation. She knew what it was like to be in a room full of people staring at you and being called a "specimen." She didn't deserve that. She needed to be where she could be safe and out of harm's way.

"Phoenix tears, as we all know, have healing powers. During the waning phase of the moon every other month, a phoenix turns very depressed an' lonesome for a mate. Some confuse the mournful cries of a phoenix for the wails of a banshee, although their song voice is very soothing. He or she will shed tears that are bottled up in bottles like these," he said, showing the class the bottle that was once beside him, "an' used on people much like you. Mind you that the tears of one phoenix should never be mixed with another, tis the reason why they are all held in separate containers. Danger is all that will result from that."

"Professor?" asked Hermione, raising her hand sharply, nearly sending Neville out of his chair.

"Yes, Hermione."

"What kind of dangers?"

"Ah, we'll save that for another lesson, eh? Now one at a time, come up an' have a gander at 'er."

The uninterested ones slumped down into their chairs while the others crowded in large groups around her perch.

"Her name is Athena," said Hagrid. "She's quite a beauty."

When it was Joely's turn, she gently stroked the bird's wing and ran one finger down her beak. Hagrid looked a little nervous at her close proximity to the creature. She stared into its lucky four-leaf clover eyes and she looked to silently be communicating with her.

The bell rang signaling the end of the lesson. Out of nowhere Joely whispered, "Thank you" to the wind rider. Joely smiled when Athena winked back, acknowledging her show of appreciation.

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

January slowly came to an end and the hostility never seemed to want to come to an end. Challenges to one on one duels, fiddling with potions assignments, and the incessant bad-mouthing would not relent. Immature, no doubt, but it worked from time to time. But, Friday night became the cause of Saturday morning's entrance into the world of hatred and brought the two schoolmates to an agreement to be bitter enemies.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Chill out, Blaise," Joely whispered as the two tiptoed up the staircase to Draco's room. "He's had this coming for a long time. This is payback."

"Are you sure this won't permanently damage him?"

"What do you care?"

"There's a difference between pulling a prank and damaging someone. Truthfully, I don't know where this one fits."

"Draco isn't suicidal anymore so, eh...he'll be fine... in about three weeks or so," she snorted under her breath.

"Shh," Blaise commanded covering Joely's mouth.

"Password?" said the stern portrait of a portly man in green velvet Victorian era clothes, guarding Draco's bedroom entrance.

"Cool Whip," said Blaise.

"Cool Whip?" asked Joely disgustedly.

"Yeah, I have no idea what it is, but as you can see from the opening door, it's his password. What is 'Cool Whip?'"

"What do you think it is?" she asked slyly.

"Some kind of kinky sex toy?"

"You would think that wouldn't you?"

"Just hurry up, I don't want to have my arse handed to me just yet."

"Alright, just give me ten minutes."

"Ten minutes? What do you need ten minutes for?"

"I don't want to wake him, you nut ball. All good things come to those who wait."

"Just go," Blaise said impatiently. "We don't have time for you to get all poetic or philosophical on me."

Joely quietly entered Draco's room and padded to his bathroom door, thanking Merlin that it was open because if it was anything like her's and Hermione's door before a few good greasing charms, it would've woken up not only Draco, but all of Slytherin. She tiptoed across the freezing marble floor to his shower stall. After extracting a corked phial from her pocket, she grabbed his soap.

"I'm gonna getcha while I gotcha in sight. I'm gonna getcha if it takes all night. You can betcha by the time I say go, you'll never say no," she sang quietly as she sprinkled the phial's contents over his soap.

Quietly again she tiptoed out into his room. She headed for the door, but stopped and turned to face his sleeping form, her evil smile reaching to her ears.

"I'm gonna getcha it's a matter of fact. I'm gonna getcha don't cha worry 'bout that. You can betcha your bottom dollar in time, you're gonna be mine. Just like I should, I'll getcha good."

"What the hell was that for?" scolded Blaise when he and Joely were back in the empty common room.

"I had to finish my promise."

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

"Draco, come on, it's gorgeous outside," shrieked Pansy as she shook him awake.

"Sod off, Pansy, it's Saturday."

"It's also eleven o'clock. Get out of bed, Drakie!"

"Stop calling me that!"

"Then get your cute arse out of bed. We're all going outside and pick on Hufflepuff while they practice."

"Grow up, Parkinson."

"Get up, Draco! Now!"

Draco gradually forced himself out of bed to stand in front of his mirror looking at his reflection. Not bad, he thought. Of course it's not bad, I'm a Malfoy. He went into his bathroom and after a quick warming charm on the cold floor, he turned on the taps to steam up the room.

A good hour later, Draco exited Slytherin for the Great Hall for lunch. Taking a seat next to Goyle he thought about the song he woke up humming. He couldn't remember it all, but it had something to do with getting someone good. He took a good look at the food in front of him and felt famished. As the month came to a close, he started feeling better about himself and was slowing gaining back his aura and appearance of superiority. The cockiness however, was the first thing to move its way back into his life of mistreatment of others who were less than him. Steadily the Great Hall emptied as everyone was going outside to enjoy the unusually warm January day.

"The sun may not be out, but it's quite warm," commented Blaise.

"I never thought I'd say this, but thank the gods for Muggle clothing," said Draco, looking down at his slightly fitted heather gray t-shirt, and tan khaki cargo trousers. "This... stuff is quite comfortable."

"Don't let your sensitive skin get burned, Malfoy," Joely teased as she and Ron passed by to join up with Harry and Hermione by the lake. "I hear when you shave a ferret the exposed skin is quite touchy. But don't worry, I'm sure us Mudbloods, half-bloods and Muggle-lovers could find you some suntan lotion."

"Piss off, wench."

About two hours later, the sun finally began to peek through the clouds, brightening up the grounds. Everyone seemed excited to welcome the warm ball of fire, but none more so than Joely. As the brightness level grew, so did the evil smirk across her face.

Suddenly -

"OY!"

"Draco? Draco, what, what's happening to you?" screamed Pansy.

"How the hell should I know!"

"You're all purple!"

"I KNOW what color I am thank you! What the hell is going on?" he raged.

"What did you do?" she wailed.

"I didn't do anything!"

That's when Draco heard the hard laughter coming from behind the group of Slytherins. There was the quad squad as well as about half the rest of the school laughing to tears at his expense.

"What the hell is this?" he yelled while turning in circles like a dog chasing its tail. As Joely approached, he came to a stand still.

"Oh, Draco," she said in fake distress, "what on Earth is wrong with you? You look like you've been ambushed by the Silver Nitrate monster."

"Sil - Silver what?"

"Silver Nitrate. A fabulous little chemical," she said pulling the half-empty phial out into Draco's eyesight. "You see, my darling, due to its chemical make-up, when exposed to UV rays or place on an organic substance, like skin, it... and whatever it is on, will transform the pigment to a violent shade of purple. Wonderful stuff huh? But you know, I think it must have mutated or something."

"Mutated? What the bloody hell do you mean 'mutated?'"

"Well it doesn't look right. I mean you look more grape than purple."

"You stupid--!"

"Clamp it up, Parkinson!" exclaimed Joely.

"Hey, leave her out of this!" demanded Draco.

"I'm glad to see that you're back together. Good, that makes my job easier."

Draco ignored her comment about him and Pansy and went in for the kill. "Where the hell do you get off -?"

"NO, MALFOY! Where the hell do YOU get off berating me for toying with people when you said that you toyed with me just to get release, when I WASN"T the one that gave it to you? You have no qualms about destroying everything and everyone around because it makes you feel better! I had so much faith in you that one day everyone would see the great person you used to be and they would understand you like I did. Plus, it doesn't bother you in the slightest that you beat me down thinking that I'M the one that was in the wrong, and then make your password what it is? That's sick, Malfoy! You threw away everything you said you wanted for what you called a good fuck!"

Draco was stunned. Who was she to tell him what he did and didn't have a problem with. He did have to admit, to himself only, that she was right about one thing; he got off just fine with toying around with her. In fact, he got off plenty of times in that three day time frame. So what if he made his password a cherished moment between them, what was it to her? She was the one that screwed up and she's mad at him for it. He made a mental note to waste bin that picture of that hot summer day.

He realized that he wasn't much different from Damon: he'd hit her (over the hols), he verbally assaulted her on more than one occasion, and thought that she left him for another man causing him to do the ultimate way to lose someone; sleep with another woman. But he wasn't like Damon, because he knew that it crushed him then and still does, to know that he did those things. But again he knew they were alike because he knew he would die for her like Damon said he would. But they no longer felt anything for each other so why dwell on the past?

"This is war, McGill," he hissed, just inches from her face.

"Yee haw."

To Be Continued.....................