Ginny:

I raced down the hallway, my breath coming in short gasps. Cold laughter echoed all around me.

I was hit, knocked to the side like I was nothing. I was nothing. The dream changed. Suddenly, instead of being the hunted, I was the hunter, stalking the night. Fueled by a never satisfied hunger, I followed my prey.

Then, I was bent over, heaving, red liquid dripping from my lips. Hermione put a comforting hand on my shoulder, she was the only one who knew of my condition. She smiled sadly at me, handing me a tissue.

Dying. I was dying.

I jerked awake. Oh, how the nightmares plagued me. Every night was one of restlessness as the dreams consumed me, as I relived my worst moments. Hermione knew, she was the brightest witch of her age after all. What she didn't know, though, was my reason for keeping it a secret. She didn't understand. There is no cure. I would be like this forever.

Sighing, I walked to the bathroom and performed my morning routine of showering, blow drying my hair, and applying make up. I used to wear very little make up, but my condition didn't allow for that anymore. I needed heavy concealed and dark eye liner. I guess I was now something of a mystery to the world. Ironic, seeing as that was all I wanted to be when I was younger. Now, I would give anything to be living a normal life. But no, that wasn't possible. My condition prevented that. I was always tired now, always sad, and I could never seemed to change it. The muggles considered it a serious condition, one that could be treated with therapy. Though I desperately needed someone to talk to, I doubt anyone would take this lightly. They would run and tell the world. And then my life would be over. My life ending wasn't such a terrible idea currently. I might as well be dead as it is. The only part of me that felt truly alive was my mind. My thoughts always twisted and turned, quickly jumping from one subject to the next with no transition whatsoever.

When I was dressed and ready to go, I went out to the common room I shared with Zabini, ignoring the plush decor. Such things were trivial to me now. Going to the small kitchen, I examined the 'ordering' area. Apparently, by writing on the small parchment on the counter, I could request anything I desired from the house elves and I would be sent in from the kitchens by magic. Insanity, I thought. A waste of time. Were we really so used to our generous lives that we could not bear to work for our nourishment? Nonetheless, I used to the parchment, not wanting to attract unwanted attention. Attention would be my ultimate undoing, I was sure. Some day, someone would notice. It hadn't taken Zabini long.

Blaise:

I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist. Ginny was already up, she had left her pajamas in a pile near the door to her room. She was a strange person, no doubt about it. Yesterdays events only proved that. She obviously has a secret, I mused, and I would discover it.

Not to ruin her. No, to help her. Looking into those eyes last night, he had seen her emotions clearly. Pain. Confusion. Loss. Fear. She desperately needed help, and he would be the one to give it to her.

Dressing in fresh robes, he continued to consider her odd behavior. Sneaking out during the sorting ceremony was not Gryffindor behavior, though he doubted she was truly a Gryffindor at heart. After all, the hat takes peoples personal wishes into account when it makes its decision. No, Ginny Weasley was a Slytherin. He was sure of it. She was cunning, fierce, and clearly willing to do whatever she had to to survive. Most of all, she was dangerous. He clearly remembered her unusual amount of strength, her speed, and the desperation in her eyes. Desperation drove people to insane lengths, made them willing to do anything. But why would a girl like Ginny be so desperate?

Blaise ignored the kitchen area. He preferred eating in the Great Hall. The sound of students, excited for the first day back, echoed through out the castle. Taking his seat by Draco, he examined his best mate. Draco looked exhausted and uncomfortable. Needless to say he'd rather be at Malfoy Manor, attending to his mother. He didn't think she was safe at the school. Too many believed she was a Death Eater.

"Rumor has it that you and the little Weasley got into some trouble last night," He said.

"How the hell..?"

"News travels fast in this place. Especially where association between Griffyndors and Slytherins are concerned. I'd be careful if I were you. The secret isn't worth it if it destroys you both."

"You draw that dire conclusion from Ginny and me getting caught outside? You're losing it mate." Blaise snapped, Draco had no idea. This secret was destroying Ginny. He'd had enough with Draco's moodiness. "If you're going for the whole brooding thing, it doesn't work for you. You'd do a lot better if you just smiled a little more."

"I'd smile if I had reason to," Draco stood abruptly, turning to leave.

"Well then maybe you should find one!" Blaise called after him before eating a few bites of toast and getting up to leave. His first class was Potions with Professor Weasley. Wonderful. She'd probably treat all the Slytherins like shit. Prejudiced bitch.

Upon arriving to the class, which was still located in the dungeons, he found it changed. Not nearly as dark or drafty as it had previously been, the room now had a brighter, more open air to it. Blaise may have been in Slytherin, but he tired of the cold and dark.

"Eef everyone will please take your seats, I will begin explaining ze curriculum for zis year." Professor Weasley was stunning. As beautiful, if not more, then she had been during the Triwizard tournament. Many of the boys had trouble keeping their dicks in their pants. Professor Weasley seemed unaffected by the ridiculous reaction of all her male students and began a lecture that all the boys listened to attentively while the girls shot them looks of disgust.

"Now, many of you are familiar with the potion Felix Felicis, the luck potion. Professor Slughorn used it as an incentive to do well. Well, for the next six months, you will be brewing it yourselves. Along with it will be several important research papers that I will assign once a week, to be completed by the following Monday. Now-"

"Fleur? Ah, sorry, Professor Weasley?" A weak voice came from the back of the class.

"Yes, what is it, Ginny?"

"I need to go to the hospital wing" Ginny looked absolutely terrible. Her skin was horribly pale and he could see the dark circles so carefully disguised as badly done eyeliner. She was clutching her stomach and had a pained expression.

"Of course, Mr. Zabini, you are head boy, are you not?" She question him, and he nodded in affirmation, "Please escort Ginny to the hospital wing. She looks rather faint."

Ginny tried to protest, but Blaise grabbed her by the arm and led her out.

They walked in silence until Ginny stopped and leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.

"Are you all right?" Blaise asked her.

"Bathroom," She moaned, sinking down to the floor.

"Come on, I'll carry you. We need to get to the hospital wing." He told her, bending down to lift her.

"No!" She jerked away, getting to her feet. " I can't go there. Look, you can go back to class. Say you left me by the doors of the hospital wing. I won't tell them what really happened."

"Why can't you go to the hospital wing?"

"I just… just can't. Go! I need to-" She cut off and clapped a hand to her mouth. Then she took off. Blaise chased after her, pausing briefly outside the girls bathroom door. 'fuck it!' he thought and went in.

Thanks so much for reading! I know I promised this months ago, but I got my stupid ass grounded, so I'm sorry. Anyway, I WILL have another chapter up today or tomorrow. I'm totally back in my groove with this story. It won't be super long, but it will be a decent length. R&R please,

Seleen.