A/N: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter! It may or may not be that good, I don't really know because I am drugged up on painkillers. Yep. I broke my ankle trying to through a snowball at my mother. She said it was karma. I said it was because the world hates me. Either way, my ankle's still broken. The fun part about it was that we were out of town, coming back to Tucson; so I had to wait two and a half hours before I could go to the E.R. Yep. Anyways, enough of my self-pity and onto the story!

I was storming down one of Hogwart's many hallways when the twins found me. I was in a foul mood, but I tried not to glare at them as they walked up to me.

"Why hello there. And why might such a lovely young lady such as yourself-"

"Be wandering the dark-"

"Lonely corridors of our beloved Hogwarts?" George finished off. I could never understand how they could know what the other was going to say, but I guess that's part of being a twin. I didn't answer and kept walking. I didn't know where I was walking to, but I was just walking. The twins exchanged glances. I didn't understand that either. How they could say a million things to each other in just a look.

"Well then. We just thought it fair to warn you-"

"Wandering Hogwarts isn't safe anymore."

"That Umbridge woman is questioning anyone she can get her hands on." I shrugged. They weren't going to get anything out of any of us. We were stronger than that.

"So? Let her question us. We won't give in." I walked faster, but they soon matched my pace. Fred stepped in front of me .

"Well, you see-"

"Not quite that simple, I'm afraid."

"She's using Veritaserum." That made my blood freeze. Veritaserum?

"That evil toad! What does she think she's doing? She..." I couldn't fully express my hatred for her. She was an animal! My gaze fell to my left hand. It had healed in these past few weeks, but the words were still clear against my pale white skin. I must not be a brat. The perfect one for her would be; I must not be a bitch. I smirked.

"Can you guys do anything about this? Anything?" She needed to know just how welcome she is here at Hogwarts. The twins glanced at each other mischievously.

"Well, we do have some little things."

"But we're saving the big finale for a...special time. But yes-"

"We can do something about it." I smiled and nodded my thanks. I started to walk away once again.

"Be careful out there!"

"You don't know what big bad Slytherins could be out there-"

"Waiting to gobble you up and tear out your poor soul!" As I was about to turn a corner, I looked over my shoulder at them. They were clutching their chests dramatically.

"I'm sure I can handle them."

!#$%^

It was against the rules, I know, you don't need to tell me, but I made my way over to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It was dark out, and there was a thick fog. I hadn't been near here since my detention with Harry. After that we'd done simple stuff for Hagrid; not really detention worthy.

The ground was covered in the roots of the giant trees, and I carefully stepped my way over to a clear spot and sat down. As long as you're not actually in the Forbidden Forest, it can be quite relaxing. It gave me time to think over some things. I'd decided that I'd really need to think about my answer to Dumbledore's offer. I sighed. I honestly didn't know what to say to him. Some part of me thought that it would solve everything, but another said that it would just make it worse.

If I said yes, I would never be accepted into my family again. I'd be disowned. My family could be complete jerks sometimes, but they were still my family! Would I be able to betray them? And what about Draco? I couldn't ask him to side with me, but if I didn't, would he fight against me? Would he chose his family over me? Of course he would. We had spoken briefly once before about Voldemort.

He had said that he was scared of him, which I totally get. But would Draco be scared enough that he would side with him, in fear of getting upsetting him? And if he left, what would become of Narsissa and Lucius? Would they be punished for their son's crimes?

And what of my parents? If I said yes to Dumbledore, would Voldemort take that as my parent's failure? Would he punish them?

I didn't know if I could do that to them. I'd just have to deal with everything; for their sake. I could handle it. I'd been handling it for my entire life now. Even when Voldemort had been "destroyed", my parents had remained faithful.

I had made up my mind. It'd better be bloody worth it. The worst part would be telling Dumbledore; no, after he would risk so much to protect me. I closed my eyes in frustration. Why? Why me? I was only fifteen! Fifteen! I shouldn't have to deal with all of this drama. I shouldn't have to worry about Voldemort! I shouldn't be mixed up in all of this! Why couldn't the Ministry do something about it? Because they're bloody idiots, that's why; a voice in my head answered. Why did kids have to try to save our world?

Just then, a someone cleared their throat. I looked up to see Weasel. Wait a second...Ronald Weasley? Standing in front of me? The world was surely going to end.

"Well, I er, wanted to apologize to you. My actions were...wrong" His voice sounded pained, as if the mere words hurt him. I smirked.

"Go ahead, then." I waved him on. He looked confused and there was an obvious question written on his face.

"What do you mean? That was my apology, I...er...um." I had to laugh at that. Of course. A four worded apology. I should have known.

"Of course. And beautifully said, too." His ears grew red and he looked uncomfortable. After a moment, he sat down as well and leaned against one of the many trees. There was silence, but it wasn't that awkward. It was...well, just normal. We sat there for several minutes.

"Weasel? I believe I owe you an apology as well. Except, I believe it will be longer and have better word choice. I am sorry. For multiple things. For all of the years I have made fun of you. For all of the years I had insulted your family. For all of the times where I had insulted your friends and your honor. I may have meant it at the time, but I regret it now. You are a good person, far better than I will ever be. You're always there for your friends, no matter what it may take. You'll stand up for your family; something I've always admired. You're a good person, and I just wanted to let you know how much I envy you." There you have it. I apologized to Weasel. It was pretty good, I have to admit.

"You're not too bad yourself. Before you joined the DA, I had thought you were some kind of...of...well; not very nice things. But now, now that you've shown your true self; you're not bad at all. Well, maybe just a little, but that's not the point. And I do admire the fact on how calm you can be, I mean, you live with Death Eaters! Everyone knows that. And there are some rumors going around that you're a Death Eater, but I don't believe them. You're not that bad." He wasn't really that sensitive, was he?

"Why thank you, Ronald." I muttered with a small laugh.

"Hey, you called me by my first name!" He looked surprised, and I laughed again.

"I was being sarcastic, so it doesn't count. Besides, I like calling you Weasel! What else would you like me to call you? Nothing else sounds as good...ginger, carrot top, tomato head, Reddy's not too bad, Rubylocks sounds too girly, soo yeah. Weasel's the only thing that'd be okay." I had been counting off the names on my fingers.

"Ron sounds good to me. I'm okay with it, you know." I smirked once again.

"Okay, Ronald." I said, smirk still in place. Wease-Ron groaned.

"Ron, please! Just Ron. The only person who calls me Ronald is my mother."

"All the more reason."

!#$%^

The next morning I was making my way to Dumbledore's office. I had to tell him my answer, which I was not too happy about. I quickly said the password, which was still Fizzing Whizbee. I ran up the hated stairs and entered the cozy office. Dumbledore looked up from the papers on his desk and motioned for me to sit down, which I did.

"So, my dear, I'm guessing you have an answer for me." he smiled brightly at me. I wonder if it's a spell that makes his eyes twinkle that much. It's not natural!

"Yes I do, sir. I have been thinking about this quite a bit, and it's been very hard for me." I said, thinking of all the times I've sat and pondered the consequences of both life changing answers. He nodded at me to continue.

"I can't do it." I buried my head in my hands, feeling ashamed of myself. He's offering something so generous, and yet I'm turning it down. What kind of abomination am I?

"When I first thought about it, I was almost going to say yes; but then I realized how selfish that was. This wouldn't just affect me, it would affect everyone else!" I looked up at him desperately. "What about my parents? What about Draco? If I accepted your help, I would be betraying them, I would break Draco's heart!" I put my head back in my hands, trying not to let tears overtake me.

"I see? So it is Draco that changed your mind. We could protect him as well, you must know." I shook my head gently.

"Draco would never say yes, I know him. And it's not just about him, it's lots of other things as well. I may not support Voldemort, but I'm sure as hell not going to get up and join the other side of the war! I've grown up learning about how muggles are filth, and how we're better than them! I've grown up with Bellatrix Lestrange teaching me the three unforgivable curses! I've grown up trying to save my sister from being beaten by our parents! And nothing, not even your protection, can change that." Tears were still threatening my sorrow filled eyes, so I quickly blinked them away. He smiled sadly at me.

"Yes. Nothing we do can change the past, I'm afraid. But we can do many things to change the future." Why does he have to be so wise?

"But what I'm trying to say, is that I come from...bad ingredients. You can't make anything good out of that. I'll never be good. Perhaps if I had a different childhood, or different parents, or even different friends, I might have been different, but as it is; I'm fit for only one side, and unfortunately, it's his side. There's nothing you can do. Nothing. I've tried." And I have. I've tried to be different from my parents, but I kept slipping, and eventually I decided, why should I keep fighting?

"Ah, Atarah. Maybe you should just add another...ingredient. That could change your recipe into a masterpiece." What did he mean by that? His eyes were sparkling like fireworks at this point, but there soon was a knock at the door and he looked up.

"Come in." The door opened to reveal Harry looking confused when he saw me. I quickly wiped away any stray tears that had betrayed my eyes.

"Just remember Atarah, add another ingredient." He smiled and looked pointedly at Harry. W-what? Harry? H-he, what! I whipped me head back and forth between them. No! But...what! I stood and rushed out of the room. My mind was whirling at the thought of what Dumbledore said. Harry? I should...add Harry? Into my life? But he was on the opposite side of the war! I shouldn't even be in the DA! I'm not on his side! I'm not-I'm n-not!

"Atarah! Slow down!" Harry called out from behind me. I ran faster. I liked Harry, but I couldn't. He was such a good guy, but I'm as good as a Death Eater to him! I ran as fast as my body could allow, running...running away from everything. My fear, my feelings, trying to get away...

"Atarah, please...stop!" Harry was still chasing after me. Why? What did he see in me? I was heartless, soulless, a monster. Why would he ever want to be civil to me? I belonged in Azkaban, I deserved to be killed mercilessly.

Something grabbed my arm and pulled me to them. It was Harry. Of course it was Harry. Who else would chase after a monster? I crumbled into his arms and cried. Everything came out then, with Harry's strong arms holding me. He didn't say anything, just held me. How could he be so..so...pure? He was innocent! He was on the opposite side of the war...if I fought against him, he would kill me. If I defended my family he would have to kill me, eventually.

He might as well kill me now. End everything, the darkness, the pain...

"Atarah, please, listen to me." Harry's voice called me out of my thoughts. I sobbed even harder as I looked up into his beautiful eyes. I admitted it. His eyes were beautiful. Too beautiful. Just the sight of them made the guilt set in. My family wanted him dead. They want to kill the person who thwarted the dark lord as a child. How could he even look at me? I lowered me head, wanting him to leave me, to do the smart thing and just walk away.

"'Tara..." I looked up at him then. I should have been furious at his use of my nickname...but I wasn't. He leaned forward, slowly coming closer. My mind was screaming at me. NO! You bloody idiot get AWAY FROM HIM! But why should I? I was memorized by his lips as they drew closer. HE'S THE BLOODY BOY-WHO-LIVED! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING! I inhaled quickly and pulled away from him.

"No, no, NO!" I shook my head, tears still falling freely. Harry reached out his hand.

"Atarah, please!" He begged. I had a choice. A choice between sides. To fight alongside Harry, or to fight against him, alongside Draco. It was a choice that would define me, shape who I am. In those two words, Harry begged me to chose his side, even if he didn't realize it. This choice...this choice would be final. If I choose Harry, I would lose Draco. I would lose my family. If I chose Voldemort, I would lose Harry. I would lose the DA. I would lose Dumbledore. I would even lose bloody Weasel. So I chose.

I shook my head, and ran away from Harry Potter.

!#$%^

A/N: Morbid; I know. I was listening to depressing songs while listening to this. Soooo...anyways! Several important things happened in this chapter. First-Ron and Atarah made up (I almost called him Weasel right then o.O). Second-Atarah refused Dumbledore's offer. Third-She chose Voldemort over Harry. Now when she said that the choice was final, she meant that if she chose Voldemort; no more talking to Harry. Yep. Oh! And how could I forget! Fourth-HARRY AND ATARAH ALOMST KISSED! It doesn't mean that they're madly in love, NOT AT ALL! Atarah was crying and they both felt something towards each other, and it was impulse! So before some of you say-It's too soon for that! Don't worry. I have no plans for them to fall in love anytime soon. Especially since she chose Voldemort. Tell me what you think!