Author's Note:

So, I first mentioned this story on my profile two years ago. Boy, the time sure flies. Although in the past, I've tried to make sure my chapters are nice and long before posting, I've realized that holding myself to standards like that make me not want to write; besides, I've read stories that have chapters so long I forget what happened at the beginning! So in this story, I've got distinct plans for each chapter, and intend to give you the story without too much of a delay. I've currently got 4 chapters written, a fifth on the way, and a full (basic) outline of each chapter extending through 5 parts, 26 chapters, and an epilogue.

Remember, reviews make authors happy.

DISCLAIMER: Although I dream, neither Harry Potter nor the songs by Regina Spektor belong to me. (All chapters are named after a RS song and contain an excerpt from that song).

Chapter 1: Somedays

Somedays aren't yours at all

They come and go

As if they're someone else's days

They come and leave you behind someone else's face

And it's harsher than yours

And it's colder than yours...

This was turning out to be quite the lousy day for Ginny Weasley. First, her roommates woke her up at the crack of dawn, screeching about something or another (Ginny couldn't really bring herself to care), and when she saw that she still had a few hours before her first class, went back to sleep. Next thing she knew, she was rolling over, still drowsy, with a nagging sensation she was forgetting something. That something turned out to be breakfast and her first class. Upon this realization, she sprinted out of bed and decided a quick scourgify would have to do in place of a shower this morning. She didn't even realize that her socks were completely mismatched, one being an ankle sock and the other a knee-high, until she was already halfway to History of Magic.

Luckily for her, Binns barely looked up from his lecture when she slid into her seat nearly 20 minutes late, but her seatmate (a Ravenclaw boy named Derek who seemed to be a male version of Hermione) glared at her for the disruption. Ginny had been thinking she was in the clear, but as soon as the bell rang, dismissing the class, Binns floated over to her and began to drone on about how rude teenagers were these days, and how when he was still alive, someone who was five minutes early for class was punished for being tardy.

"Professor-" Ginny started, but stalled when Binns just kept on droning. She'd be late for her next class too, if he didn't shut up!

"...oh yes, in my day..." Binns just kept talking, never quite getting the hint, even when his next class started filing in. Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked in, and sent her a confused look. She merely shrugged and tried again.

"Please, Professor-my next class is Potions, if I'm late for that too, Snape will have me in detention for a month!"

"...teenagers and their lack of respect. Never would've called a Professor by his surname alone, no, sir!"

Ginny sighed and cast a quiet tempus charm under the table, and nearly swore when she saw what time it was. She had to leave, fast, or she'd be strung up for sure.

"No disrespect intended, sir, but I must be getting to my next class. I'll see you here, tonight, 7 PM for a detention?"

Without waiting for him to respond, she raced out the door, heading toward the dungeons.

Draco Malfoy gracefully stepped out of the Head Student fireplace, glancing around to make sure Granger wasn't in the room. He didn't really care if she saw him arrive or not, but as he'd been gone for a few days, it would take a bit of intimidation to get her to back off and he just really didn't have time for that today. Besides, he knew she'd get curious as to where he was and he hadn't quite thought up an excuse yet.

He quickly dusted himself off and went up the stairs to his room, the portrait swinging open as he said the password. He only had a few minutes to change before he had to be leaving for the second class of the day-thanks to Father and the Dark Lord, he'd not only missed a whole weekend, but also his first class. It was only Potions though-Professor Snape would forgive him easily enough, circumstances what they were. Besides, it's not like he was Longbottom or anything-Draco could easily hold his own in that class, even if he were to miss a whole week.

He quickly pulled on a clean uniform and pulled a crisp, freshly ironed robe from his wardrobe and strode out his private entrance, which put him square in the second floor corridor. A convenient location when one wanted to get to classes quickly, but damned annoying between classes with all the traffic. Noting the emptiness of the halls, he figured he'd be a bit late for class, but he didn't really care. It was only Transfiguration, and that old bat McGonagall could bloody well do whatever she wanted to him-it wasn't as if he cared. He started up the corridor towards the stairs, but before he could get very far, a petite body turned a corner directly into his path and rammed into him.

"Oof!" she breathed upon impact, falling to the ground on top of her bag. Draco had managed to grab hold of the wall to steady himself, and was now glaring at the girl. He saw it was Weasley, and his scowl grew.

"Bloody hell, Weaselette, watch where you're going-not everyone's as durable as the boy-who-just-won't-die."

She glared at him and reached to pick up her bag and noticed it was smoking slightly.

"What the..." she questioned, opening the bag. Immediately, plumes of a gray-green smoke began pouring out, enveloping the two of them.

"What the hell did you do, Weasel?" Draco demanded as he felt his eyes start to water and he began feeling light-headed.

"My potions...supplies," she gasped, and her eyes rolled back as she fell to the ground. Draco gaped wordlessly at her for a moment before he, too was drawn into unconsciousness.