Love, War and Friendship - The Wizarding Way

Told From Ginny's POV

A blonde woman stood clutching a small-blanketed bundle in her arms, a fearful expression on her face. Lucius Malfoy and an older man who must have been Malfoy senior stood flanking her from both sides. Everyone watching in the church pews were dressed in black.

"Give me the boy," Lucius hisses tugging the child away from his mother. Narcissa let out a soft sob but didn't resist as Lucius, cradling the baby carefully handed him over to none other than the Lord Voldemort, who smiled cruelly before firmly placing an index finger down on the child's forehead.

"What's he doing?" I whisper to Draco apprehensively watching whatever ritual was taking place.

"There's no need to whisper," the little Draco says and though only five he strode down the church altar much like the sixteen year old one would. "They can't hear you."

"What's happening?" I ask insistently as the rest of the church claps and begins to congratulate the Malfoys.

"The Dark Lord transferred just a bit of his power into all of his Death Eater's children. He invented a spell that was able to let him leave his imprint on their soul, creating a path they were meant to follow. It was the perfect plan. It made sure that was he still in power decades later he would still have supporters."

I glance at Draco in amazement. "You're a very intelligent kid," I tell him. "Hermione would like you."

He narrows his eyes and shrugs. "I'm only a spirit belonging to the Oracle. I take whatever form they give me. The real Draco Malfoy was quite unlike I."

My head's pounding with thoughts as I see tears of guilt fill Narcissa's eyes. She hadn't wanted them to do it so why hadn't she stopped them? She could have run taken her baby and left Lucius. She couldn't actually love him could she?

"Is this it?" All of the black clad strangers are leaving the church followed by the Malfoy family. "Is this all you have to show me?"

The little boy shakes his head. "You think this is the only reason he - no there is more."

Taking his hand I find myself tumbling into a sea of black, unable to see a thing. A horrible sobbing meets my ears, echoing through the room followed by the squeaky pleas of a house elf.

"Master Draco please calm down! You must stop! Master Draco your father -" there's a sickening smack as the house elf is sent crashing into the wall.

A lantern illuminates the room with light revealing Draco six years of age at the most, huddled up in what looked like an attic a knocked out Dobby lying face down beside him.

"How many times have I told you Malfoy's don't cry," he tells the child callously pulling the same whip he'd used on me out of his pocket. "Stop immediately!"

Draco's cries are stifled slightly at the threat.

"Someday Draco you will have to join in. It is your duty to me and how will you be able to fulfill it if you can't even watch without crying?" The whip is still raised ominously as a way to keep the boy from talking back. "I didn't see any of the other boys or even the girls crying."

"That's not true!" Draco cries shrinking back against the wall as the whip shakes. "Vincent and Pansy do. They told me. They hate it just as much as me!"

"Silence!" Lucius slams the leather against the wall with a vicious snap. "There is another meeting scheduled in exactly a month from now and next time if there are tears -" he stops to smile threateningly. "Well you know the consequences." With that he left the room soon filling once again with shadows.

"All of the remaining Death Eater's vowed to raise their children in Darkness," the phantom of Draco says to me a small light shining off of him. "They met once a month to teach them how to do Dark magic by demonstrating on Muggles."

I gasp. "What? You can't be serious he's only a kid."

"Maybe so but each of these children Blaise Zabini, Gregory Goyle, Pansy Parkinson..." his voice trails off. "All of them including Draco were fully trained in the Black Arts before they entered Hogwarts."

"No eleven year old kid can do Dark Magic," I argue. "They wouldn't have the strength."

"Ah but that's where you're wrong. Don't you remember what I just showed you? The Dark Lord gave each of them some of his power. Now," he clears his throat making it obvious he wasn't here for discussion. "Come, we're not finished yet."

I don't want to see anything more but I don't think I have a choice as he tugs me into the next scene in what appears to be Draco's room in the Malfoy manor. He's flicking his wand idly at a cage filled with spiders and shooting them with Avada Kedavra. All of them die instantly as the glimmer of green light whooshes towards them. I shudder convulsively at the sight of both the spiders and Draco doing such a cruel thing.

A knock sounds at the door and in comes Lucius looking unusually cordial. "Are you ready Draco?"

"Yes Father."

I'd guess he was about ten at this time as I watch him follow his father outside and into a meadow where a small rabbit sat munching on the grass peacefully. I squeezed my eyes shut before opening them again. Tell me they weren't. Draco would never. He couldn't -

As he slowly points the wand I feel tears slip from my eyes.

"Avada Kedavra!" he shouts in a loud voice causing a powerful gust extinguishing the rabbit's life in a quick second.

"No," I whisper. "Why?"

My question is meant to be rhetorical but the member of the Oracle sitting beside me answers anyway. "Lucius Malfoy made his son practice The Unforgivable Curses on their animals until he had perfected them. He felt that if Draco cared about the thing he hurt it would toughen him up."

My eyes didn't leave the real Draco who had begun to wrap the rabbit up in a towel his body shaking but no tears falling. He wouldn't cry. As he'd told me before Malfoy's don't cry. "And did it?"

He was silent for a while as though needing time to mull the question over. "A little."

He hasn't made me leave yet. We've probably skipped over more than half of the horrors that had happened over the course of Draco's life. Seeing everything he'd gone through is breaking my heart and causing hatred stronger than I'd ever known to fill my body towards Lucius Malfoy. A father was supposed to be somebody who cared for you, who loved you not someone who would use you as a pawn in some game of great evil.

"Is there -?" I ask shakily.

"Can you handle it?"

I shrug. "It doesn't matter."

I'm beginning to understand the sullen nature that is Draco. I know why he's mean to absolutely everyone but Slytherins. He's been taught no other way. If anyone was to tell his father he'd said one kind word to Harry he would be punished. He'd learned not to feel anything for anyone but who had changed that? Lucius claimed it was me but I doubted it. Would the little Draco show me? Was I allowed to know?

I once again accepted the pale hand presented to me. As it takes me to another place in history I finally get what this journey is about.

This time it takes longer for things to become clear. I can feel layers of film pressing down on me as if I'm stuck between realities.

"I'm warning you Draco," I can hear Lucius's slimy voice murmuring though I can't see a thing. Everything's moving so fast. If I squint hard enough I can make out the image of the Hogwarts Express but then it all goes black and all I can do is listen.

"You are not to associate with that Potter. It would be against our ways. I hope that this school won't shake your loyalty. Durmstrang would have been a better choice but your mother insisted..."

I could just picture him glaring at Narcissa if she was there.

His voice fades away and is replaced by a new one: Draco's.

"I haven't written in here yet because I'm afraid if someone catches me they'll start calling me a sissy. It's only been a week and everyone already hates me except the Slytherins and I expect they're just nice to me because their parents ordered them to be. I have no choice but to continue this façade and let Crabbe and Goyle follow me around or I'll be even more alone than I ever."

I wonder why I can't see. Even Little Draco isn't helping. As I'm caught drifting through the past I hear little snitches of conversations that begin to shed some more light on who Draco really was. I heard a few private talks between Draco and his father and one with Goyle who seemed a lot less thick than everyone had always thought as he spoke of what a great honor it would be to serve the Dark Lord if his plan to steal the philosopher's stone worked. I was surprised when I was mentioned in one of Draco's journal entries dating back nearly five Halloween's ago. He wrote of how Crabbe was threatening to owl Lucius about Draco's obsession with me if he didn't do his potions homework for a month. And here I thought Draco had been the ringleader. It seemed that although Lucius was the reason Draco was so highly respected by the Slytherins he was also Draco's weakness. No wonder he got meaner every year. If he put one toe out of line all the details would be reported back to his father.

I found out his father threatened him with evisceration at the end of his third year if he refused to dive further into the Dark Arts. He was taken to some secret wizard camp run by a few of Lucius's inferiors. They performed rituals requested by the parents on their children. Draco was given a behaviour modification to increase his nastiness and his mind was opened to his father to read at any given time. It made me sick that anyone would ever do such a thing. When his father was finally satisfied with Draco's transformation he was taken out and spent the rest of the summer in Bulgaria where a young veela managed to reverse the effects of the modification and tried her best to convince him to join against the Dark side.

A sudden flash floods my vision and I can finally see.

"Sorry," says the little Draco appearing at my elbow. "There's so much to show you and so little time. I had to speed things up a bit." He leads me through a hallway and into a room where a more familiar form of Draco sits across from Lucius in a dimly lit study.

"Is it true? Harry Potter claims the Dark Lord has returned."

"You know it is," Lucius drums his fingers along the desk surface. "We've been working towards this moment for thirteen long years. Draco," his voice takes on an icy tone and I see Draco gulp. "Your loyalty for me has wavered greatly over the years but I do hope that whether you remain true to me does not effect your willingness to serve Him."

Draco bows his head. "Yes Father."

"Our master has no need for any of you children yet. He asks only that you continue as you are converting those who worship good and punishing those who will never change Dumbledore and the boy in particular."

"Yes Father may I go now?" he stands but Lucius grabs his arm, lunging across the desk knocking several folders to the ground in the process.

"I don't think you understand me. I know there's going to be trouble with you. You've never wanted anything to do with the Dark Lord or this family for that matter but you have no choice anymore. You will do what I tell you to do and when the time comes you will work under his command because that was what you were born to do. It is your only purpose."

Draco's eyes narrow and he's obviously straining to hold back a biting comment. Lucius notices this too. Giving his son a firm shake he starts in again.

"What do you think you'd be without my name backing yours? Without me you wouldn't have power, money or friends. You would amount to nothing. If you fail me boy," there's no mistaking the hostility in his voice.

"I won't," Draco promises quickly.

"Good," Lucius releases him and sits back in his chair. "There may still be hope for you yet, Draco."

I watch as he scrambles out of the study and Lucius straightens up the desk with an evil smirk. He could control Draco and he knew it.

I didn't understand why Draco hadn't told someone what was going on. He could have put a stop to the way he was treated and sent his father to jail. If using the Unforgivable Curses on another human being could land you a life sentence in Azkaban then teaching a child how to use them certainly could too. Alright so maybe I understand why he wouldn't want to send his own father to Azkaban but Narcissa had no excuse. She had almost no interaction with Draco and I was sure she knew from the moment she'd learned she was pregnant what was in store for her son. How could anyone knowingly inflict so much pain over a child?

"The first thing Draco ever learned was his duty to his father and the Dark Lord. He knows no other way. Habits made early in life are hard to break which is exactly why the Death Eater's taught their children how to use Dark magic at such an early age rather than wait until they were more experienced," the little Draco explains almost reading my mind. "There's one last scene you must see before you leave."

"Will I be able to?" I ask. "Leave I mean."

"If I have done my job properly then yes. If there is more troubling you, you may stay." I recognize the commanding look in Draco's eyes that warned me not to argue. It's not his job to determine where I go. I nod and we jump to a year later where Draco and a group of Slytherin fifth, sixth and seventh years along with a handful of other Hogwarts students stand clothed only in black before Voldemort.

"Well, well, well," You-Know-Who murmurs running a thin finger over his chin. "I haven't seen any of you since your christenings." He eyes the line of children and teenagers doubtfully as though he didn't think they had improved much. I feel fear grip my heart as his eyes stop their search when they hit Draco, beckoning him forward.

"I have wanted to meet you the most young Malfoy. Lucius, my most prized Death Eater has spoken so highly of you. Let's see if you are really as good as he claims." Wetting his index finger he places it to Draco's forehead in a similar fashion to the first scene I'd witnessed from Draco's past. Closing his eyes he lets out a low sigh while Draco looks fearful.

"Your heart," he whispers removing his hand moments later. "Your heart appears to be tainted. You harbor feelings for a girl, a girl whose family has done nothing but give me trouble."

"So I'm not allowed to like anyone?" Draco cries incredulously before quickly adding, "Sir."

"Not if she causes you to doubt your calling. You were conceived because I ordered it. I chose your name and gave it a destiny. My work and planning better not have been for nothing." His red eyes flickered over the rest of the group as he dismissed Draco. They were all given the same talk as him although the others seemed to please him much more.

"You're going to spoil this for me aren't you?" Lucius spits hatefully, following Draco to his room after the meeting with Voldemort. "Everything I've ever done for you you're just going to throw away?"

Draco ignores his father beginning to fill a trunk with all his belongings.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Leaving."

"That much is obvious," his father says in a dry voice that barely concealed his fury. "But where exactly do you think you can go? None of your friends will take you in once you've turned your back on the Dark Lord."

"I know."

Lucius threw his hands in the air looking completely exasperated at the idea of losing his only child. "What is it about you? Your feelings must have come from your mother's faulty genetics."

"What is it about me?" Draco whirls around. "What is it about you? All I am to you is a body, someone that looks like you who you can order about. You don't even love-"

"Malfoy's don't love," Lucius interjects with a glare.

"Maybe I do."

"Well then maybe you aren't a Malfoy."

Draco looks like he's been slapped across the face. "Excuse me?"

He'd really hit a nerve. Draco would probably have cried if it hadn't been drilled into his head so many times that Malfoy's didn't cry. I wonder what else he had been told he wasn't to do.

"You're no more of a Malfoy than your mother and if you walk out that door you're disowned. I will no longer have a son."

Draco's eyes widened and he held his trunk tightly as he strode past his father.

"You're not leaving this house. I forbid it!" Lucius howls after Draco chasing him down the hallways. "Draco! Draco! What will you do when the Dark Lord comes to call in your debt? Do you have the strength to turn your back on him as well as me?"

Draco hesitates; hand on door as he turned to face his father. "No," he says in an honest voice. "No I don't think I could."

I blink and the inside of Malfoy manor disappears into white. I think I'm in the hospital wing back at Hogwarts. There's a massive pain throbbing in my temples and a hot fire running through my arm.

"Ginny?"

I hadn't noticed the hovering blonde until a shaky hand gently cradled my head.

"Ginny?"

"Draco," I sigh happily wrapping my arms around him not caring that it only made the pain worse. He was real. I feel tears spring to my eyes at the memory of everything he'd been through. I wanted to make it all go away, obliviate it.

"I should go get Madame Pomfrey," he murmurs in my ear trying to break away.

"No," I only squeeze him tighter burying my face in his hair, which oddly enough isn't gelled back. "I'm fine. I'm fine. I finally get it."

"Get what?"

"Everything," I say after a few minutes letting go of him to watch my cuts slowly heal up.

"What the bloody hell?" Draco touches the place on my right arm where there had just been a bloody mess. The Oracle had cured me.

***

Told From Ron's POV

"Can we talk later?" I cut Lavender off. "Sorry it's just there's something I have to do." I run past her before she has time to give me the puppy eyes. I hate blowing her off but I haven't been able to catch Ravey alone all day until now slipping off for another one of her walks.

"Ravey!" I shout hurrying to catch up with her as she made her way across the Hogwarts grounds. "Ravey wait up!"

"Why?" she snaps turning to glare at me. "So you can insult me?"

"No! Look I came here to apologize but if you don't want to hear it -"

"Really?" Her angry resolve seems to melt.

I shrug suddenly embarrassed. "Well ... yah."

"I shouldn't have suggested -"

"It's ok I was just in a bad mood -"

We both stop and smile.

"Secret friends?" I ask sticking my hand out.

Ravey hesitates probably remembering our earlier conversation. After several seconds of pondering my offer over she shook my hand delicately.

"Friends," she corrects quietly. "Just friends ok? No secrets."

I grin in confusion. "Um ... so what made you change your mind?"

"You did," she says simply turning to continue her trek across the grounds. I notice happily that her hand is still holding mine. "I mean around the Slytherins can we -" she looks a little fearful as she tugs me along with her.

"We can fight around them," I promise her. "Or around everyone if you'd like."

"But that would be exactly like the secret friends deal," she says slowly stopping again near Hagrid's hut.

"I said I would and you were right. All of the Slytherins would treat you horribly. Believe me you don't want to go through that."

Ravey gave me a half smile shifting her weight from foot to foot before leaning closer and brushing her lips across mine. The only other part of her touching me was our linked hands but she filled my head. No other person - girl had ever been so close to me besides Hermione that is and even she and I had never kissed. Not that you could consider this a kiss. It was more of a touch or a gesture as meaningless as a handshake to her but it still made my knees weak. Ravey no matter how little the percentage may be was a veela, in other words my fantasy.

"You're sure?"

How could I argue after that? She'd taken a step back but I could still feel her breath on my cheek. It smelled distinctly like pumpkin juice.

"I-I-I," I stutter stupidly lost in a haze as I look at her sparkling under the moonlight her brilliant blue eyes as bright as the stars, hair blowing behind her in a nonexistent breeze the way Fleur's had once done. "I sure. I - I mean I'm sure."

I feel like a complete idiot but if Ravey noticed my incompetence she showed no sign of it.

"Good but we don't have to argue we could just ignore each other."

"No actually I like arguing," I tell her as I hurry to catch up.

She gives me a funny look, looping her arm through mine. "You're an odd one, Ron Weasley."

***

Told From Draco's POV

"Are you ever going anywhere?" Ginny giggles pulling back to lean on her elbows.

"When you leave so will I," I tell her softly.

"I'm here all night Draco," she says with raised eyebrows. There's an amused twinkle in her eye.

I'm amazed at how fast she recovered. Madame Pomfrey credited herself but it was more than that. If I was right and it had been my father who hurt her she wouldn't be healed right now.

"Me too," I grin.

"Draco you can't! Now that I'm awake no one's going to let you stay here."

"I don't care," I whisper in her ear making her laugh again. "Come on do you really think anyone can make me go if I don't want to?"

"Yes!" she exclaims wriggling away. "You must have work to do or I dunno don't you want your own bed?"

I shake my head. "I did everything I had to do while you were - er - sleeping and I have no need to hurry back home to Snape."

"You're going to have to show me your room one of these days," she tells me teasingly. "After all you got to see mine."

I frown. "But I already did."

Ginny looks troubled. "Oh ... ok ... sure. I just - the vision kind of mixed me up but I remember now."

She should never go into politics she's a terrible liar.

"It wasn't you I showed was it?"

Ginny prods at the buttons on my shirt and doesn't answer.

"Gin, I'm waiting."

She sighs refusing to meet my eye. "Draco can I tell you later? It's a really long story and my head's all achy."

I know what she's doing as she leans her head back against my shoulder sending a sad look my way.

"Fine," I murmur giving her a soft kiss. I'm almost afraid I'm going to break her even though she's perfectly alright.

"Can I ask you something?" she asks her eyes still closed, hands on my shoulders.

"Anything."

"When did you first start liking me?"

"That day in Flourish and Blotts," I say simply not wanting to get into details. She doesn't need to know how utterly pathetic I was for having this crush for over five years now.

"Which time?" she blinks. "This summer or the first time we ever met?"

"I -"

How did she know? How could she possibly know? I wasn't that obvious I knew that much. Only those who were with me all the time were aware of my feelings and even they could just suspect, as I never said anything about it nor went near her before this summer.

"Have you been talking to Crabbe or Goyle?"

"No," she laughs. "So it was the first time."

I nod, longing for a new subject. I knew she hadn't felt for me as long as I had for her. There had been Harry for as long as I could remember and she'd even gone to the Yule Ball with Neville Longbottom.

"Why?" curiosity spills from her face as she sits up so she can look at me properly.

I shrug feeling immensely uncomfortable. Malfoy's didn't speak of their feelings because Malfoy's weren't supposed to have feelings.

"Is it really that important?"

"Please? I'll tell you my reasons if you tell me yours."

I can't look at her as I begin to speak. Instead I stare straight ahead at the closed door. "I just - I felt something ... wake up I guess when I met you. It was like with one look I knew everything about you and I thought you saw past my name, that you knew me too. Ginny -" I stop suddenly afraid to go on anymore. The fear that she might laugh at what I'd just said was crippling...but she didn't. When I finally tore my eyes away from the wall I saw she was staring up at me with wide eyes.

"I'm sorry that was -"

"Beautiful," she interrupts forcefully and I get the feeling she's trying hard not to cry. In some ways that's worse than laughter. I didn't deal with tears, mine or anyone else's. "No one's ever said anything like that to me before," she whispers making me look at her. "I never meant anything to anyone."

I don't know what to say luckily I don't have to as Ron comes barrelling through.

"Ginny!" he gawks at her face. "You're better! They told me but I wasn't sure if I believed it."

"Yep," she smiles pulling herself together. "I'm doing great."

"What - Malfoy do you think you can go away for just a bit?" he asks in probably the most civil tone I'm going to get while I'm dating his sister or maybe just as long as he and I coexist.

I would have argued but Ginny's eyes pleaded with me not make a scene so I left quietly and sat out in the hall.

Why did you do it Father? I think. Was it because you can't stand the fact that I care about someone?

Didn't I raise a conceited son? an amused voice answers back, the voice I had been waiting days to hear. At least you picked up on one of the Malfoy trademarks but of all the ones to choose...oh well.

If it wasn't to get to me then why'd you do it? I ask clenching my fists in frustration.

You haven't figured it yet? he laughs. Your little girlfriend is the key to every thing.

So that's why they wanted her. They thought Ginny would be able to tell them how to destroy the world.

You stay away from Ginny, I growl menacingly. My reply is a hard blow to the stomach. I really wanted to know how he was doing this.

You're not in any position to give orders Draco he warns me before disappearing.

This was bad. They were going to try to capture Ginny. I'd have to stop them but how could I stop it if I didn't know what they were planning? If only I could get in his head as well.

***

Told From Ginny's POV

I couldn't sleep. I was restless and bored. I'd been sleeping night and day for the past two days. I didn't need anymore of it. I wished Draco was here so I could wake him up and talk to him. He never seemed to sleep anyways but he had never returned. At first I thought Ron might have said something to him when he left but then I didn't think Ron could convince Draco to do anything.

Getting out of bed I was grateful to find that Madame Pomfrey hadn't locked me in. If a teacher found me wandering the halls I'd just act confused since I'd been in the hospital wing I assumed they would buy it.

I didn't know where I should go. No one would be up in the common room and I didn't know the way to Snape's corridors. It was odd to hear how silent the halls were. I'd never really walked around the school late at night that was Ron and Harry's gig. My footsteps echoed loudly as I stumbled into a suit of armor. It clattered to the ground with a thundering crash uncovering a roaming Mrs. Norris.

"Damn."

Filch's cat was already stalking off before I could stop her. There was no way I could get of detention if he caught me making a mess of things. Hopefully I could get back up to my bed faster than Filch and Mrs. Norris.

"Shh!"

I tried to scream as a hand clamped down on my mouth and jerked me roughly into a room and slammed the door. It was the Room of Requirements now containing two beds and a platter of steaming hot chocolate. I turn anxiously to see who'd pulled me in. My jaw dropped at the crimson clothed figure that was helping herself to the chocolate.

"Ravey?"

She nods putting her mug back down and offering her hand in a much friendlier way than she had on the train. "Ron's little sister right?"

She knew Ron? Well besides their brief spat on the train I mean. Lucky for her my surprise at her cheerful mention of my brother clouded my normal anger over only being referred to as Ron's little sister.

"Actually I'm just going by Ginny now," I say an edge to my voice. I ignore her outstretched hand as she'd done to all of us before.

"Don't tell me your angry." She looks exasperated like I'm just some lowly fifth year. I probably am to her.

"And what would I have to be angry with you for?" I smile sweetly folding my arms across my chest silently adding, you know except for the fact you're such a bitch.

Ravey smiles back with equal fakeness. "You have a jealous personality don't you?"

"Meaning?"

"I'm not going to move in on your boyfriend or your brother."

I stare at her in confusion. What was she talking about?

"Not saying they're not cute. They are but I'm not into relationships. I met Draco two years ago in Bulgaria -"

So she was the veela.

"Nothing happened."

"What does this have to do with Ron?"

Ravey actually blushes. What did she have some crush on him or something?

"Nothing. I just know about his veela fetish that's all."

"And how would you know about that?"

I'm definitely making her uncomfortable. Her right arm shakes a little bit as she takes a long sip of hot chocolate, pushing the second mug at me. I don't touch it. I'd much rather see Ron with the half brained Lavender Brown or the bossy, know it all I'd always expected him to end up with that Ravey.

"I've heard stories."

"Really," I narrow my eyes. Who on earth goes around talking about Ron's multiple cases of vocal failure when any veela were near?

"Sorry I tried to help." Ravey glares looking quite unbecoming. "I'll be going now."

I sigh and disagree reluctantly. "You can't. Filch is probably out there."

"Like you care," she snaps but stays put.

Out of all the people I could get stuck all alone in a room with it had to be her. I resent her for her immaculately groomed hair and tailored clothing while I stand hair totally rumpled in a baggy white hospital gown.

"It might make things a bit easier if we were nicer to each other," Ravey suggests. "For now at least. I promise we can go back to hating each other later." She rolls her eyes and takes a seat on the nearest bed, helping herself to my mug.

"I don't hate you, you know," I tell her grudgingly walking over to the second bed. "But I can't say I like you much."

"And I don't hate you either but that still doesn't change the fact that we might be here for a while and we shouldn't make it any more awkward than it already is by talking about our mutual dislike."

I shrug and turn away. I just don't want to be here at all. I'm beginning to regret my midnight stroll. I hadn't expected to run into anyone including Mrs. Norris. I thought people slept in the castle at night as I usually did. It's quite odd that I ran into Ravey too...

"What were you doing up so late?"

"Couldn't sleep. You?"

"Same."

I sigh leaning back against the headboard feeling suddenly drained. Ten more minutes and I'd go back up to the hospital wing Filch be damned.

"Are you really Dumbledore's granddaughter?" I ask out of nowhere. I couldn't stand the silence looming over us.

"Excuse me?"

"Well you can't blame me for asking. The last time we were in the same room together you freaked out over some necklace that Hermione said made you Dumbledore's granddaughter."

"I'm not," she says her lips set in a firm line. "That girl was wrong."

I scowl at her. Sure. Hermione was never wrong. "No need to get huffy about it."

"I'm a Slytherin."

"I was aware of that thanks."

Ravey glowers. "As a Slytherin it's a great insult to have people think I'm related to that Muggle-lover."

"Then why did you go running to Harry this summer? Don't people of your standards look down on him too?" I smirk at her white face.

"How did you know that?" she asks anxiously. "Does anyone else know?"

"Relax," I laugh at the expression on her face. "Harry told me of course and I don't know."

Ravey looks down at her lap for a moment her brown hair falling in sheaths, hiding her face from my vision. Maybe she had a multiple personality disorder. That would explain a lot. When she finally pushes her hair back behind her ears her face is closed up and emotionless.

"I think I'm going back to bed," she says neutrally with only a slight bit of snideness. Without even checking for Filch she walked out of the Room of Requirements letting the door slam shut. She was definitely hiding something if she was willing to put herself at Filch's mercy in order to get out of a conversation.

***

Told From Ron's POV

I hadn't expected her to still be up though I'd hoped so. I waited until Harry, Dean, Seamus and Neville were all snoring softly in their own beds before taking it out of it's hiding place beneath my mattress. It feels cool to touch as I held it out to her.

"How did you get this?" Hermione asks looking up at me in astonishment as she pushed her quills and parchment aside.

"I found it," I lie.

I can't very well tell her Ravey had given it to me. She'd have too many questions.

Hermione arched her right eyebrow questioningly. "There's no way she'd just leave something like this lying around."

"Maybe not," I agree dropping the necklace into her lap. "But it really doesn't matter how I got it."

She runs her hand over its smooth edges, brow furrowing slightly in concentration. "Well why are you giving it to me?"

"I'm not giving it to you," I say as I sit down beside her on the couch. "I want you to find out every thing you can about it."

"So you mean you want proof it's the Dumbledore family crest?"

"No," I shake my head. "I really mean every thing: it's history, what charms were used to make it, what it does, anything."

Hermione leans over to look at the necklace more closely under the light of the fire. "Ron," she sighs. "That could take weeks."

"I know."

"I've got loads of work to get through and -"

"Take as much time as you need," I assure her.

If the mountains of textbooks littering the common room floor were any example of how much homework Hermione had she wasn't wrong. This looked like more work than she'd had all third year when she was juggling twice as many classes as the rest of us and we'd only been in school for less than a week.

She nods gratefully, setting it down on the coffee table. "I'll do my best."

"You always do."

Hermione smiles and leans her head against my shoulder with a yawn. I'm surprised at the sudden rush of butterflies that fill my stomach at the friendly gesture. I'd thought for sure I was getting over her and doing a good job at it too but I guess that wasn't the case. I wanted to tell her about what had happened on my walk with Ravey but I feel as if I that would be betraying my feelings for Hermione by talking about the kiss. Ravey was a fantasy come true and Hermione was the failed reality.

"Tired?" I ask.

"Exhausted."

"So why don't you go to bed?"

"No," she stifles a yawn pulling away. "I've got to finish some stuff up."

I pick one of the opened books off the table. "And what are you doing?" I scan the page with little fascination. "Telepathy and History of Dark Magic? What class is this for?"

"Oh uh it's an extra credit project for Defence Against the Dark Arts," she explains grabbing the book from me.

"Extra credit? Can't this wait until morning?" I regard the large circles under her eyes in concern.

"Ron," she says irritably letting me know the subject was closed for discussion. "Look I'll start researching the necklace as soon as I can but I've got to do this before I can even think about doing something else."

"Yah, yah," I say quickly sensing the beginning of a fight. "I appreciate it. Try and get some sleep." I start to climb back up the dormitory stairs.

"Night," Hermione smiles wearily.

When I reach the door I don't open it but turn back around to look at her now buried in a book, ever few minutes jotting down a note. Harry was one lucky guy and I'm pretty sure he didn't realize it. But even if there was no Harry there was still Fred. Hermione hadn't and never would choose me. She'd much rather leave me for Lavender, who was great but just not what I wanted. So why had the potion taken her to me? Why out of everyone at Hogwarts was I the one who needed her the most? I'd pondered this question for days to no avail. I know for sure I don't need her in a romantic way so could it possibly only mean I needed her friendship? Being friends with her had provided me with solace many times when I was having trouble with Harry and Hermione.

My mind weighed down with questions I made my way through the dark room to my bed and collapsed into sleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow putting all those thoughts and questions to rest.

***

Told From Harry's POV

I smile at the picture of Hermione stretched out by the fireplace right before me. She must have fallen asleep last night studying. Careful not to wake her I sit down in the easy chair across from her watching the dying embers illuminate her bushy brown hair. Even when she'd gotten that make over changing her hair color and texture she could never look as beautiful as she did when she slept looking so innocent and peaceful.

"Hey Harry," Lavender's voice floats up from behind me.

I blush as I turn to look at her making sure that none of the guys were around. "I was just about to wake her up."

"Sure," Lavender winks. "Do you know if Ron's up yet?"

I'm about to answer when Hermione interrupts me. "Harry?" She sits up groggily. Our voices must have woken her up.

"'Morning," I say brightly as she rubs her eyes sleepily, blinking several times.

"No," she mumbles tripping over a stack of books and sending them flying through the air. "Oh no."

"Hermione." I catch her before she falls again while Lavender whips out her wand and fixes the mess. "How much sleep did you get?"

"I don't know. Two, three hours maybe?"

"And the day before that?"

Hermione looks exhausted as if she hasn't slept in weeks. She's got to stop with these late nights.

"I don't know Harry," she bristles, which obviously means it was very little.

I hold my tongue knowing she's only being like this because she didn't get enough sleep.

"What is all this stuff?" Lavender asks looking around at the excessive amount of books. "Were we assigned something I don't know about?"

"No I do take other classes than the ones I have with you," Hermione snaps pointing her wand at the books and zooming them up to her room causing a single piece of parchment to fall to the ground.

Lavender with a hurt expression stomps off through the portrait hole without another word.

"Arg!" Hermione drops her head in hands and tumbles against my chest in frustration. "I didn't mean to say it like that. I'm just sooo tired."

I can feel a stray tear leak through the thin material of one of Dudley's old shirts. Someday I'm going to have to figure out where the nearest wizard-clothing store was so I could get rid of all my cousin's hand-me-downs.

"Hey Hermione it's ok. Today's Saturday you can go back to sleep anytime."

She pulls away resting her hands on my knees and looks up at me the stress showing in her face. "I wish I could but I have this huge project due in Arithmancy, not to mention the work Ron and Draco need me to do." Her eyes are wild and filled with unshed tears as her fingernails dig deeply into my jeans.

"How 'bout you stop worrying about everyone else for one day and just do something for yourself?"

Hermione sighs pulling at her hair anxiously exactly as I'd seen Ginny do many times. Those two were hanging out way too much lately. They were both beginning to pick up an alarming amount of each other's quirks.

"Maybe you're right," she agrees. Taking a calming breath she stands up. "I'll go back to bed but only for an hour."

"An hour? Seriously Herm-"

"Will you wake me up at nine?" she speaks over me in a raised voice.

I shrug reluctantly. "I suppose I could do that."

She smiles wrapping her arms around me for a few short moments before giving the common room a once over. "Ok everything's put away so I'll go up and sleep. You promise you'll wake me up in an hour?"

"I promise," I say scanning the common room as well noticing the piece of parchment. I bend down to pick it up. "Hermione wait is this -" my voice trails off at the words penned by a hand I vaguely recognize.

"Yes Harry?"

I can't read the rest. It's from Fred. I know it without even looking down at the signature.

"What's all this about?" I ask angrily waving the letter about. "What the bloody hell is going on?"

"What are you - oh," she says as I hand her the note. "Oh I see. Harry it's just a letter it means nothing."

"IT DOES NOT MEAN NOTHING!" I shout very aware that I'm blowing up over something that's not especially significant.

"So you're saying because Fred wrote to me I suddenly have feelings for him? Harry come on, don't you trust me at all?"

I stare at her for a moment before shaking my head rapidly, keying into the source of my anger. "No," I say hating the instant pain that spread across her face. "No I - I don't."

She's silent. The only sound that can be heard is her heavy breathing. I want her to do something to say something, anything. A slap across the face would be better than this.

"Fine," she says softly. "That's just fine."

I don't try to stop her as she flees up the dormitory steps and out of sight I just stand stalk wondering whether or not the end was coming soon.

***

Told From Hermione's POV

There weren't words to describe the anger I felt towards Harry. He didn't trust me. I had been at his side for six long years and he still didn't trust me, his girlfriend and best friend. I slammed the dormitory door shut so hard I swear the walls shook.

"Keep it down!" Parvati shouts from her bed. "I'm trying to sleep."

"Yah whatever," I say moodily, still fuming. It should be me not trusting him not the other way around. After all who was the one who lied about his feelings for weeks? If either of us were going to be unfaithful it would be him as he had such a fondness for trying to distance himself from me.

I started to pull the covers off my bed when I realized it was pointless, I was never going to be able to sleep after this. I left the room once again closing the door just as loudly and hurrying swiftly down the stairs so I didn't have to listen to Parvati's indignant cries. She had never been much of a morning person. Unfortunately Harry and Ron were both seated in the common room. Harry leapt to his feet as soon as he saw me.

"Hermione -"

"Save it. I'm too mad to talk to you right now."

I storm away but two strong arms pull me backwards. I glare at the pair refusing to let go no matter how much I struggle to get free.

"I'm sorry but I don't see why this has to be such a big deal," Harry says calmly, evidently having gotten over his earlier rage problems.

"Because it is a big deal!" I shout without restraint not caring that over half of Gryffindor house was now up and watching our spat. "You don't trust me! That throws everything I thought about our relationship off balance!"

"Why should I?" he yells back finally letting loose. He'd dropped his hand from my arm but Ron still held tight. "Give me one good reason why."

"Why?" My head's spinning from the maybe four hours of sleep I'd gotten since Ginny and I switched. "Why? I love you that's why!"

"Oh do you? How'm I supposed to believe that when I find letters from Fred telling you how much he still likes you?"

"So just because Fred likes me to you that automatically means I like him?"

Harry's eyes flash with uncertainty as he answers. "Maybe. That's what happened in July isn't it? You found out he liked you so you used him."

"And then I dumped him because I didn't want to be with anyone but you!"

Ron looks like he wants to intervene but decides better of it.

"I -" Harry seems at a loss for words.

"Yah that's right," I snap my anger still pumping. "I can be friends with Fred if I chose to."

"But he likes you!" Harry all but roars, his jealousy kicking in.

"So I'm still friends with Ron aren't I?"

Harry looks over at Ron in surprise who lets go of my instantaneously. "That's different. Ron doesn't like her that way. Tell her Ron."

Ron looks back and forth from Harry to me with a scared expression. "Uh guys don't bring me into this please."

"Can you -"

"I don't want to talk about it anymore," I sigh feeling the fiery emotions draining my energy.

Harry smiles with relief all traces of anger disappearing from his face. "So you're not upset with me?"

"Oh no Harry Potter I'm so mad at you I could burst I just don't think this is the time or the place to argue," I say with a surprising amount of composure as I glance around at the sea of faces all pretending they weren't listening.

"But we're not broken up?"

"No! You've got to stop jumping to conclusions! Just because we're having a fight doesn't mean we're over. I'm starting to think that's what you want though since you keep suggesting it so much. Is it? Do you want to break up?"

"Of course not! I -"

"Good," I interrupt ending the conversation by turning to run out of the portrait hole and up to the library to hide among the stacks where I always go when I get upset. Harry drove me crazy sometimes. If he'd actually read the whole letter he would know that yes Fred liked me but he was going to let me go and try going out to dinner with Angelina. He was being so stupid I wanted to cry out of aggravation. I wouldn't apologize for my outbursts. I didn't want to fight but it hurt to know he didn't trust me. I would trust him with my life and Harry wouldn't even trust me to write an owl to his best friend's older brother.

Thankfully it was a Saturday so I was able to sneak back into the common room an hour later after Harry and Ron went down to breakfast and go upstairs to do all my work. If I hadn't been under so much stress I probably wouldn't have freaked out as much at Harry.

Draco had come to me last night and told me about the spell his father had had performed on him to make his thoughts readable. He wanted my help in reversing the effects. I was pleased that he'd asked me to do something for him normally he wouldn't have trusted any of us with such information. He still didn't I suppose since he refused point blank to let me tell Ron or Harry what I was doing. And then Ron had come to me last night with that stupid necklace and though my curiosity ached to figure out what it was all about there was no way I could get to it until I'd fixed Draco's problem. Personally I think he should go to Dumbledore. If anyone could help it would be him but Draco thinks if he alerts the headmaster then everyone will know and no one will trust him while they know Lucius has full access to his head.

I sigh and shove the books away lying down on my bed. Though it was twelve o'clock Parvati was still sleeping and snoring very loudly at that. I wonder if Ginny's been released from the hospital yet. She was probably the only person I can talk to about what went on with Harry. She seemed to understand what an arrogant little prat he can be sometimes having liked him for so many years.

Hugging the pillow close to my chest I thought back on everything Harry had said. I could now see why his relationship with Cho had ended if he'd acted at all the same with her as he did with me. I mean jealousy is human nature but Harry sure has a lot of it. This whole fight is pointless, I know that but I don't want to let it go. I'm not going to talk to him again until he apologizes properly.

Pulling some parchment out from underneath my bed I started to reply to Fred's owl.

I'd give it to one of the school owls to deliver later. I was worried about him. Someone had left a note on his doorstep with the instructions on how to complete one of the melting cauldrons he and George had been trying to make during the summer months. Fred believed with all his heart that the letter was from George though he didn't recognize the handwriting. I wished for his sake and Ron and Ginny's as well that George hadn't gone to the Dark Side but in my opinion once you start work for You - Know - Who you don't keep leaving anonymous letters on your families door steps explaining how to finish lost experiments.