*whew* I finally finished writing it! This took me quite a long time, and as you'll see it's broken down into 5 parts instead of the usual 3 because of its length! This one is a bit different not only because of the size, but because unlike the other previous songfics in the series (Truth and The Road I'm On) the story doesn't exactly match the song stanza for stanza like the other two do (sort of). Rise Above This is a Draco/Astoria songfic based mostly on the theme of the song overall, not exactly what happens in each individual lyric.

And I lied once again in The Road I'm On; Rise Above This isn't going to be the last one in this series--there's definately another sequel planned, and possibly a fifth installment as well.

Also, I managed to screw up the lyrics at the end! (You'll see it in the later parts) In reality, the song ends after it says 'rise above this doubt', but I copied and pasted incorrectly and ended up adding in two extra stanzas. I'd already begun planning out which section would contain what part of the story when I discovered this, so I just decided to keep the mistake. My apologies :(

All I ask of you is that you leave me some wonderful thoughts in a review!

Thank-you for your support on the previous songfics!

-Jackie//xxArtemisxFowlxx

Rise Above This, pt.1
A Draco Malfoy Songfic
'Rise Above This' - Seether

Take the light, and darken everything around me
Call the clouds and listen closely, I'm lost without you
Call your name every day when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down, but I'll rise above this, rise above this

"I can't take you with me, Astoria," Draco said, removing her hand gently off his arm. She shook her head defiantly, but he wouldn't give in. "You may be willing to risk your life to stay with me, but I'm not going to let you."
"I told you; I'm not going to be separated from you after what happened last night. You can't change my mind," rebutted Astoria. Draco sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders, but she looked away obstinately.
"Look at me," he said, gently trying to turn her chin back around. She jerked from his fingers, eyes away from him. "We won't get anything done if you keep acting like a child," he scolded, "This shouldn't be a big deal." Anger sparked in Astoria's eyes and she turned to squint at him down her nose.
"Not a big deal? You almost killed yourself the last time you were alone! I'm not letting that happen again," she defended, putting a hand on his cheek.
"It won't happen again, Astoria," he said gingerly, taking her hand off his face to hold it. "I'll be fine," he promised. Astoria wasn't completely confident, but she let out a resigned sigh.
"Fine. But you must promise me something."
"What is it?"
"That you'll eat at least one meal everyday," she said, "You shouldn't go days without food, Draco." Relief creased his forehead; was that really all she wanted?
"I promise," he said kissing her softly, her cheeks flushing slightly red in color. They stayed that way until his watch dinged, warning that class would start soon.
"I really hate your watch," Astoria joked with a smile as she hefted her schoolbag higher onto her shoulder. They then said good-bye and parted, each going to a different class.

After Charms, Astoria headed down to lunch pleased that half the day had already passed. When she alighted in the entrance hall outside the dining area, she was surprised to see Daphne waiting by the doors that led in. She motioned her over quickly, a sly gleam in her eye.
"Come with me; we need to talk." Her sister led her to a stone bench in a deserted corridor on the first floor where Daphne sat down and crossed her legs, hands folded neatly in her lap. Astoria sat as well, unsure of what was going on.
"So first things first; did you protect?" Astoria stared dumbfounded, completely oblivious to what her sister was talking about.
"What?" she asked, incredulous. Daphne squint her eyes mockingly and shoved Astoria playfully on the shoulder.
"Oh come on, Astoria! Everybody knows; Blaise has probably told over half the school by now!" Astoria eyed Daphne as if she were insane.
"What exactly did Blaise say?"
"Oh, quit playing dumb! Everyone's heard about you and Malfoy having make-up sex in the Prefect's baths last night!" Astoria gawked at her sister, utterly shocked.
"That's completely absurd! We didn't do anything, Blaise is a liar!" she accused, eyes flashing. Daphne didn't seem to buy it, however, and she snickered slyly.
"He says he heard water sloshing about in the large bath and that when he peeked in, you were kneeling over Malfoy's wet, naked body!" Astoria wanted to scream as she stared mortified at her sister. "Sounds to me like things were getting pretty heated in there!"
"I promise you, Daphne, nothing like that happened. Blaise is just an egotistical git who thinks with his—"
"That egotistical git happens to be my boyfriend," said Daphne icily as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"And I happen to be your sister, but that obviously means nothing to you," scolded Astoria, picking up her bag and leaving the corridor.

When classes were over for the day, Astoria found herself crying in the corridor full of statues on the seventh floor. Daphne hadn't been exaggerating when she said the whole school had heard that rumor. Girls gave her scathing looks and whispered dirty names when she passed, and boys would whistle then laugh. Even some teachers looked at her strangely. Astoria knew the whole rumor was a fraud, but that didn't make the looks she received any less hurtful. She had her head buried in her hands so much she didn't notice Draco walk over to her until he put his hands on her shoulders. She looked up startled, blue eyes wide and teary.
"I'm going to kill him," said Draco softly as he wiped away her tears with his robe sleeves from where he sat crouched in front of her. He settled next to Astoria on the stone bench, putting his left arm around her shoulders. For once she truly saw the age difference between them; she felt like a mere child beneath his arm. His right hand gently cupped her face and brought her mouth to his. It made her feel better, knowing he was there for her as they kissed. But then two girls walked by.
"Probably warming up for round two," whispered one to the other, who then giggled loudly. Astoria began to pull from his lips, but Draco pressed his fingers into the back of her head. She felt a scowl on his lips disappear as she melded into him once again and her tense body relaxed. It was then that her stomach growled loudly, and Astoria couldn't help a smile. Of all the things to interrupt them, it was hunger.
"We should go eat," said Draco with a smirk, placing her bag onto his shoulder next to his. Astoria hesitated when he offered his hand to her, afraid to leave the desolate corridor. The thought of being seen by all of Hogwarts scared her, but having Draco made it a lot easier to cope with. She placed her palm in his and he pulled her up, leading them towards the Great Hall.

Hate the mind, regrets are better left unspoken
For all we know, this void will grow and
Everything's in vain, distressing you though it leaves me open
Feels so right, but I'll end this all before it gets me

When they were only a few steps away from the giant doors that led into the eating area, Astoria wanted to scream and run back, her resolution leaving her. She'd been an outspoken advocate for not caring about what other people thought, but none of that mattered now. After all, it was a lot easier to give advice than to take it. Apprehensively she entered the Great Hall.
The room didn't suddenly hush when they walked in, nor did anyone yell anything aloud. Yet it was still awkward. Furtive glances were cast at them as they walked pass tables, and they could hear people whispering about them. Draco seemed indifferent to it all; blocking out people and emotions had become his specialty.
They took two seats across from each other at the end of the table where no one else in their house was sitting. As long as she stared only at Draco, Astoria felt fine. They talked more than they ever had, and Draco ate his meal as promised. Things were going along smoothly until Professor Snape walked up.
"I'd like to see you both in my office," he sneered, "at once." Astoria became flushed as she stood, and a few girls nearby snickered.
"Busted," she heard Pansy Parkinson whisper as they were leaving the table, and Astoria had a feeling this was all her fault somehow.
"Ooh," Ron Weasley taunted as they passed the Gryffindor table, Hermione Granger shaking her head in disgust and mumbling "despicable".
The two followed Snape to his Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom where all the windows were shut and shadows took to the walls. For Snape having griped about being a potions teacher so much, Astoria still thought the room reminded her of the dungeons all the same. The professor waved his wand and drew up two nearby chairs in front of the desk. With one hand, Snape pointed at the seats.
"Sit."
Draco and Astoria did as they were told. She looked at her boyfriend from the corner of her eye, wondering why he looked so angry to see Snape. She had always considered the two of them to be friends, at least to some degree. The professor sat behind his desk and looked at them, taking in Astoria's slightly upset expression and Draco's belligerent appearance behind a mask of his own.
"The entire school has now heard about your escapades in the Prefect's bathroom, and I, being your Head of House, feel—"
"What you heard were lies, Professor. Draco and I—"
"You would do well to hold your tongue until spoken to, Miss Greengrass," scolded Snape, "However, let me point out to you that while nothing may have happened between the two of you, it still stands that you, Miss Greengrass, a non-Prefect, were in the Prefect's baths. Is this not true?" Astoria lowered her head guiltily.
"It's true," she muttered, wishing she could tell him the real reason she had been there.
"Then that will be a detention this Wednesday, served with me." She accepted her punishment silently, her mood sulking. "As for you, Draco, I should suspend your responsibilities as a Prefect for allowing such things to happen," Draco's eyes grew wide with anger and a tinge of fear at his words. "However, considering the… circumstances, I shall not." Snape once again turned his attention towards Astoria, "You are dismissed." She hesitated leaving, but the direct look he was giving compelled her unwilling legs out of the classroom.

Thoughts? Please review :]

-Jackie//xxArtemisxFowlxx