Author's Note: This story takes place after Harry broke up with Ginny and in an AU world where Harry, Ron and Hermione did attend Hogwarts the next year.

The Game

As I lay in my bed as my thoughts were blurred. Nothing seemed right in the past few weeks. Everything – my mind, my heart and my soul – was in shambles. I couldn't think, eat, or sleep properly at all. I was told it would be all right, that I would recover from this torturous experience, but I couldn't see how. My life had been ripped apart in front of my own two eyes, and I could not bear every second afterwards.

All I could see when I closed my eyes were Harry's eyes – green as emeralds and endlessly deep in nature. All I could hear were the words "Ginny, listen... I can't be involved with you anymore."

Everything I had done after that day was hazy. I ate my food, did my homework and walked around like a soulless vessel. Every colour may have been grey, every conversation may have not taken place and every word of comfort may have been a word of bitter hatred and I still wouldn't have noticed.

Hermione had understood and she comforted me endlessly. She helped me in ways that I could not expect from even the kindest person. She was the one who would wake me in the mornings, the one who would constantly tell me everything would be all right one day, and tell me that I should eat when the thought of eating was meaningless. It was only her that got me through the days and I could not ask for a better girlfriend for Ron.

Ron himself had been saddened by this. His best mate had just broken up with me, and he felt responsible for protecting me. The situation had also strained his relationship with Harry somewhat.

Six months had past since that day and ever so slowly the searing pain had transformed into a dull numbing pain. I felt as if a cloud of despair was hanging over me, and there was nothing I could do to overcome it.

Worse still was the fact that Michael Corner had tried to comfort me on several occasions. He tried to comfort me because he wanted to show that he had truly cared for me and still did today, albeit in a different way. I understood that he had meant well and that he had no intentions of returning as my boyfriend. The problem was that I couldn't help but feel that I had misused my time with him. I would rather have spent my time around Harry than dating him, and he was well aware of this fact.

Six months turned to seven and it was December. Although one would think that the snow and cloudy skies would worsen my state it had the opposite effect. It seemed as if the weather was matching my mood and as if someone was finally validating my feelings. I felt secure when there was snow outside my window. Although I was nowhere near normal, I felt the tiniest fraction sunlight through the cloud that hung over me. For the first time in several months the smallest hint of a smile curved my lips.

I was walking down the corridors to my next class. If it were possible, even the Slytherins had stopped taunting me since September. I was so lifeless that none of their insults would work and they simply gave up. I had felt almost as if I had won against them, and it was the only silver lining to my mood.

Colin Creevy sat next to me in class. My mood had been so off lately that I had put a damper even on his enthusiasm. When he sat down he smiled slightly toward me, looking unhopeful, and then listened to the lecture. Transfiguration was interesting enough that he could become absorbed in the material and ignore me for the most part. He didn't appear to be mad at me and seemed as if he just wanted to give me space. I would have to thank him for that afterwards.

When a student accidentally transformed McGonagall's hat into a swan, I actually began to smile. It was quite comical to see the usually stern and uptight professor have a bird sitting on her head, and even funnier to see the look on her face. I wish I had a photo of it.

Colin looked toward me as if he had just seen a blue moon. Then he too began to smile, but didn't start a conversation. I would have to thank him for that as well.

When the class had ended, I still didn't feel like myself. Yes, I had a few good moments today, but I was sure that I would just return to my former vacant state tomorrow.

For the first time in a long while, I actually looked at faces when walking down the corridors. I could see first years, some sixth years who were just in my class, some fifth years I had helped before, and many people who I didn't know. The people were no longer a blur, they now had faces, and even names in my mind. I saw that certain social circles had changed, that some people no longer had the same hair colour, and that some of the people were astonished to see that I was actually looking at them as opposed to just seeing them.

I also happened to notice a pair of mildly surprised cold grey eyes looking in my direction.

Here it comes. I thought to myself. Now that he knows I'm looking at him, he'll say something stupid. I noticed that it was the first time I cared in a long time.

To my surprise, he turned away after a fraction of a second and said nothing, despite the whispering of his Slytherin coup while I was passing them.

He didn't realize it at the time, and I'm sure that if he had he never would have done it, but ignoring me that way was possibly the nicest gesture he could have done at the time.

Well he should do something decent after all he's put me through.

Since when have you become this petty? Another part of my mind replied

Since Malfoy stepped into the world. The first part retorted.

Okay, now I must really be losing my mind.

"Weaslette!" I heard a sharp voice from behind me.

And sure enough, he had realized that he had been nice by ignoring me.

I decided that I would ignore him, the way I had been for the past so many months. Perhaps if he thought after a while that I looked up by mistake, he would just return to being the quiet prick he was.

"Blood traitor, did I just see you looking at me?" He asked with mock astonishment in his voice.

Looking at him? I would rather be caught dead. I tried to form replies in my mind so that I could prevent myself from replying to him.

Unfortunately, he knew better. "Has all the red hair finally gone to your brain Weasley? I don't think you realize that all the money in your family couldn't buy you robes like mine."

I would want to buy your robes to burn them.

"Ignoring me Weaslette? That's interesting. I didn't think you had the capacity. You know, seeing you moping about over pitiful Potter was very interesting."

Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts. Think about a hammer going to Malfoy's skull.

"The way you were moping about made it seem as if Potter had dumped you."

I decided to breathe in and out slowly so that I could keep my temper in control. He was beginning to hit a nerve.

"What was the matter? Did he not want you anymore? Was the poverty too much for him?"

The haze that had trapped me for so long was beginning to set in again, accompanied by the feeling of my blood boiling in hatred. I instinctively clenched my fist.

Malfoy saw my reaction and smirked. "So the smallest Weasel has finally come out of her depression? It's about time you got over Potter. Maybe if you play your cards right I'll let you look in my direction once in a while."

I will not kill Malfoy, I will not kill Malfoy…

"If you dump your Mudblood friend that is. I heard she's been taking care of you. Of course the Weasleys' do need a nanny to take care of them all."

I was now too angry to think, and decided to walk faster to get away from him. Unfortunately, he sped up as well.

"Has the bushy haired Mudblood been drying your tears? Telling you not to morn over pitiful Potter, the boy who almost married you? If you ask me Weasley, you were lucky to get rid of him."

I will kill Malfoy, and I will enjoy it.

"Ferret!" I turned around, finally having enough. It was one thing to insult me and my family but another to insult Harry or Hermione.

"So I finally get a reaction?" Malfoy drawled.

"You're going to get a reaction all right," I replied furiously, pulling out my wand.

I could see from my peripheral vision that everyone in the corridor had turned to look at us. I could also tell that the ones who knew me were surprised that I was actually displaying any kind of emotional response.

He withdrew his wand as well. "I am always up for a duel Weasley, even if it is against you."

"Trying to get detention with me Malfoy? Have you missed me that much? All your insults may be a way of trying to conceal your joy," I retorted knowing that I was seconds away from cursing him into oblivion.

"You should be dreaming of Galleons and having your own room Weasley," he retorted. "As much as I'm sure the idea of detention with me makes you swoon."

I almost choked. "I would rather vomit slugs Malfoy," I almost smiled at the comparison and I wasn't sure whether or not I was joking.

"Mr. Malfoy! Miss Weasley! What on Earth are you doing?" A familiarly stern voice could be heard from behind them.

"Nothing professor, just comparing wands," I replied, still refusing to put down my wand.

"This doesn't look like comparing Miss Weasley," McGonagall replied. "Now put down your wands!"

I looked toward Malfoy and we both lowered our wands at the same time.

"Go on to your classes," McGonagall told the other students. When they had gone she continued. "Now I don't know what is going on here, but it is not adequate behaviour for two upper year students to be nearly dueling in the corridors! Twenty points each from Slytherin and Gryffindor."

"Yes professor," I replied grudgingly, knowing that Malfoy had instigated me.

"I am very disappointed in you Ginny, although it is good to see that you are feeling better," McGonagall remarked. "Now, go in opposite directions to your next classes, and I do not want to hear anymore about you two."

Malfoy was unusually quiet throughout the whole disciplinary action and left quickly.

Git. At least I didn't get detention with him. That would have been unbearable.

To make things better, my next class was Potions.

I was still seething from the incident. I knew that Malfoy shouldn't have affected me, but I couldn't believe he would stoop so low as to mention my breakup. Not only did he do that, he ridiculed Hermione as well. Stupid Ferret.

I quietly took my seat in class, glad that I had come a minute before class had started. I didn't want to be the center of Snape's points deductions today. I did what I usually did and blankly stared at the board as Snape lectured us about the potion we would be preparing today. Now that my anger was beginning to die down, I felt even more depressed than usual. Honestly, even the mention of Harry's name hurt me. The hole in my heart seemed to return and it felt hollower now if that were possible. I suddenly felt very tired even though I had overslept. It almost felt as if I was experiencing the pain freshly all over again. I wasn't sure if I could handle it this time. It was no longer the dull numbing pain I had grown accustomed to.

"Miss Weasley, would you care to tell me the order of the roots you are to put in?"

I was caught off guard by Snape's question. He usually didn't bother to call on me in class.

"I'm not sure professor," I replied stupidly and heard the Slytherins snicker.

"Pity. Five points from Gryffindor for lack of –," he paused in his usual way to prolong the pain, "intellect."

I'll show that git intellect. I wonder how this textbook would fit right down his throat.

I noted that I was probably taking out my sorrows though anger. Well, at least it made me feel better.

Several point detections later ("No Weasley, use lacewing flies, five points." "This potion was stirred too quickly, ten points as this is your second mistake." "A first year could cut that root better, fifteen points from Gryffindor.") the class was finally over. I practically ran out of the classroom, hoping that he wouldn't deduct anymore points. It seemed as if Snape was trying to make up for all the months that he had ignored me.

As I was running, I looked down at my book bag to make sure that I hadn't left my quills in class when I abruptly hit something hard. I was flung backwards with the impact and landed on the ground.

"Crabbe, look at this! The smallest Weasley is following me!" I heard a familiarly annoying voice call.

Malfoy's chest had been that hard? I guess he has to make up for the lack of brain somehow.

"Come to clean my robes? I already have a house elf so the position is already filled."

I stood up and walked away. I had already cost Gryffindor about forty points today, and I was pretty sure that I'd be hated by everyone in the house if I continued to take more away. I dutifully blocked out his voice and returned to the Common Room.

I was just walking through the portrait of the Fat Lady when I heard some people talking.

"Harry, I really don't understand your reasoning," I heard Hermione's usual matter-of-fact voice. "Why would you break up with Ginny to protect her from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Don't you think she's old enough to make her own decisions?"

"Hermione, it isn't that easy. Voldemort is after me, and being with Ginny makes her more of a target."

"I realize that Harry, but think about her for a moment. She's hardly herself at all! She doesn't even know what day it is."

"I am thinking of her Hermione, that's what you seem to be missing," I heard a note of agitation in his voice.

My heart stung as I turned around and walked away from the Common Room. I had been blatantly avoiding Harry ever since the breakup, and even if he had been around before, I had been too oblivious to notice. Now that I was finally regaining control of my senses, the sharp pain returned and I wished to go back to the dull numbing sensation that had plagued me only a few days ago.

I decided that I would walk around the castle for a while. I found myself being led up to the roof of the castle, and I decided that the cool winter breeze might do me some good. I walked up winding staircases until finally I had reached the roof of the astronomy tower. I walked across the lightly snow covered stone to the edge where I could see a view of Hogwarts like no other. My eyes caught the Quidditch pitch, and memories of Harry's victories returned to me. Soon I found myself remembering the first time I had met him, the days we had spent together at the Burrow, and the times we had at Hogwarts. I heard faint footsteps behind me, but I hardly registered them. As long as a dementor wasn't behind me, I could care less.

"Weaslette, on a tower, how convenient," I heard someone drawl behind me.

His voice was distant to me. If I had been in a decent state of mind, I might have cared enough to answer him.

"Are you still moping over Potter?" I heard a tone of mock, or perhaps genuine, surprise in his voice.

Memories continued to come to me, and I couldn't push them away.

"I suppose that's why they put you in the house of obsessive loyalty," he continued, and I heard his voice come closer.

"Go away Malfoy," my voice was stronger than I felt, and I think he knew that as well.

"And miss the opportunity to bash Potter? I think not," his tone changed though I didn't understand why.

"I don't want to talk about this, least of all with you," my voice was filled with spite.

"Really? After all he's done to you?" he tried to egg me on. "He left you without a reason."

"He has a reason, and it's none of your business. I'm not giving information to you so that all of Slytherin house can have a laugh."

He scoffed. "You think I would do that?"

"I know you would," I replied.

"You see, this information isn't interesting enough to amuse us. Everyone knows you've been dumped, and no one cares anymore."

My anger suddenly overtook me and I reached for my wand. I was moments away from cursing him, before I remembered all the point deductions I had already caused.

"Eat grime Malfoy," I stuffed my wand into my robes and walked toward the exit.

"That was uncalled for," he reflected.

I flinched for a moment as I realized that he may have partially admitted his own mistake.

"You shouldn't be pointing your want at me Weasley, you should be working with the house elves to earn some money."

My anger returned as I spun around. When my eyes finally focused I found that I could no longer speak. Malfoy's pale skin blended with the moonlight, and his hair reflected the light perfectly. His cold grey eyes seemed to have some sort of colour in them now as they danced with mischief. His smirk seemed like a smile at the angle I was standing at. My mind went blank.

He looked back at me, eyes amused. "Like what you see?"

I snapped out of it, turned around, and left.