A/N: This chapter is really AU. All I have to say. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am not lucky enough to as smart as to invent these characters myself. They are not mine. Too bad. –pout-

The Stone Speaks

Four: Voices and Memories

DRACO

Draco stared at the green-and-silver curtains, stretched taut across the top of his four-poster bed. It felt strange to be in his old bed after so long, and the curtains around the sides, tightly drawn so that he had a special tent where no-one else could intrude, was so achingly familiar that his heart swelled up two sizes for being back at Hogwarts.

The young man turned over, frowning. Why had Ginny been following him? Was it a coincedence that he had been planning to skive off the lesson after History of Magic, to find her – but she had found him. Interesting.

Draco chewed his lower lip. He could have easily killed Ginny, behind the statue, and left her body there for Filch to find. Why hadn't he? Had his conscious suddenly returned?– he doubted that, having never had one. The truth was, he couldn't do it. Draco Ophius Malfoy could not simply raise his wand and murder. That was the Dark Lord's job.

But you're his servant, Draco! Grow up, a little voice in his head argued. Another, however, said, she's a girl, younger than you, who has never done anything wrong. Lord Voldemort destroyed the end of her childhood, and she was forced to grow up far too soon. Ginny Weasley has some of the world on her shoulders, and she's dealing with far better than I could – far better, even, than Potter could.

Out of a mixture of guilt, cowardice and slight respect, Draco decided against killing her so soon. Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was past one in the morning, and this realization forced a yawn out of his mouth.

The voices in his head weren't done, though, and before he succumbed to sleep, he wondered, What is Ginny short for?

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The morning sunlight managed to push through Draco's thick curtains, spilling onto a pale, sprawled out body, who twitched and moan at the sudden light. "Go 'way," he murmured, burying his face in his pillow.

"Malfoy, what are you doing?" Vincent Crabbe ripped open the curtains around Draco's bed and stared at him.

Draco squinted at the overweight boy who had once been his companion. "What does it look like I'm doing?" he snapped, sitting up and crossing to his trunk. He pulled on his robes, stuffed his wand in his pocket, smoothed back his blonde hair, and then dodged around Crabbe and Goyle to get out of the Slytherin common room, away from the staring eyes, away from everyone.

He hurried up the cold, slate steps from the dungeon, emerging on the left side of the Entrance Hall, and then continued to the Great Hall. As he entered, a burst out babble and chatter and clanking cutlery met him. Draco scanned the Slytherin table for somewhere that he could sit alone without being bothered – he hated walking up and down the table looking for a good place, so he decided from the door – and selected a vacant seat next to a loud, bossy third-year girl, when someone barged into him.

"Oh, sorry," Ginny said, and then she saw who she had hit. Her hazel eyes narrowed dangerously, looking up at Draco until he felt uncomfortable. The top of her hair was tied up, and the rest flowed around her shoulders, constrating sharply and brightly against the black of her robes.

Draco then noticed the Stone. It was hanging around her throat, partly concealed by her shirt collar, but most of it was glinting in the sunshine (from the enchanted ceiling and windows) so that the combination of amulet and hair dazzled him.

There was a silence as Ginny stared into Draco's eyes, hazel into blue, forest into sea. Then she unexpectedly snapped, "Omigodwhat is your problem? Your just standing there looking at me, you freak."

"I was actually here first, so I can look at whoever I damn well please," Draco growled, his fists tightening into balls.

Ginny rolled her eyes, outlined in grey pencil, in a I-don't-care gesture, and then spun, fiery hair flying out, marching towards the Gryffindor table. Draco watched her storm away and sit between Harry and Hermione.

How dare she treat me like that, Draco fumed, after all that she's done to me. She should have respect for me – it's the least she could do after… Draco's line of thought dribbled away, and he shut his mind from memories, but they came, faster than he was prepared for them.

Diagon Alley, a fight, air hot with jinxes and hexes, shouting everywhere. Death Eaters trying to kidnap Ron Weasley as bait for Harry. The Weasleys, Bellatrix Lestrange's niece, Potter, Granger, all fighting. Draco pushed aside: "You're not old enough, son. Get to safety!"

"I want to stay, father!" Draco roared, drawing his wand and brandishing it at Bill Weasley and his wife, a pretty Veela.

"DRACO!" Lucius bellowed. The man's attention changed from the battle to his son, and then the curse hit.

An explosion. Fire. Smoke. Shouts. "Nice one," Fred called. Ginny, standing, shocked, wand pointed at the Death Eaters, smoke coming from it. The Weasleys, Nymphadora Tonks, Potter and Granger fled.

Draco calling out. "Mother? Father?" A horrible silence, can't see anything but smoke. Sees a limp body – two. Lucius Malfoy, the anger at his son still etched on his face. Narcissa Malfoy, panick in her expression, tears on her dead features. Both are cold, lifeless. "Ginny Weasley," Draco whispers angrily. Tears…

Draco's eyes grew hot and thick with tears, and he realized that people were looking at him oddly. He sat down at his table, eating as much toast as he could get away with before people starting whispering about him being greedy.

A laugh met his ears, from across the hall, and Draco glanced up. Five people had stood and were leaving the Great Hall. Hermione and Ron were arguing, as ever – it wasn't them. Harry, Luna and Ginny were laughing together – how odd. Harry was laughing, teasing, smiling, radiating happiness… to Luna, not, as it would be expected, to Ginny, his girlfriend. Harry's arm was around her waist, but Ginny looked quiet, contemplative, and even a little left out.

How very odd indeed.

A/N: Let's play the "Who Does Harry Fall In Love With" Game!! Oh, who can guess? P