Hey all, I'm not dead! I'm really sorry for the long wait but Junior year was kicking my ass. But, now I'm on summer brake so prepare for more updates! Although I must admit this chapter took me a while. Hope you enjoy.

- Aaron.

Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, sorry.

The next few days for Draco were boring. The only time he actually enjoyed himself was when Hermione came to visit him, she usually stopped by a few hours before lunch and an hour after dinner. Draco was really surprised how easy it was for them to fall into conversation they bounced from one topic to the next, her knowledge of both things wizard and muggle never cased to amaze him. Each day he found out something new about her he never would have thought before, like the fact that her favorite Ice cream flavor was mint chocolate chip the same as his and that her favorite book was Jayne Eyre, a favorite of his as well.

Hermione was also very perplexed at the relationship that formed between herself and Draco. They got along on so many levels that neither Harry nor Ron had ever attempted or been able to grasp with her. They could debate hours upon hours on new potion or spell ideas, the treatment of mythical creatures such as house elves and even muggle politics which both Draco and his father kept an eye on. Hermione found herself amazed at the intellectual conversations they had together and Draco's amazing artistic talent.

It was during one of those late afternoons when both Harry and Ron were too busy with quittage practice to care where she was, Hermione gladly took the opportunity to get away from the boys who recently seemed to think there was something wrong with her for smiling all the time. She thought they were being stupid; it wasn't like she never smiled before in her life right? She was a girl; she was entitled to smile when ever she wanted to.

Hurrying down the hall she made it though the infantry's doors and into the chair next to Draco's bed. "Hey Draco" she said brightly as she sat down placing her bag gently on the ground. Draco held up a finger as he finished a page he was reading in his book, after he finished he put a bookmark into the book before setting it on the bedside table.

"Hey Hermione" He said. "How's your day going?" asked Hermione. "Boring, I'm telling you Hermione I'm going to lose it here. I hate being so alone." Draco sighed in frustration. "I'm sorry Draco, but you have to stay in here for a little while longer, just until you get your strength up. Do you need anything?" "Yeah can you get me my Sketch book? It's in my bag by the edge of the bed" Hermione nodded and got it.

"I didn't know you draw, Draco these are amazing!" Hermione gasped as she looked though the sketches. She saw one that caught her eye and looked at Draco confusingly. Showing him the picture she was looking at the picture she saw. "When did you draw this?" Draco shrugged his shoulders and put his head down. "Draco, when did you draw this?" Hermione asked again hoping he would give her a straight answer. "Ugh, fine I drew it last year. You were busy reading something by the tree and I….I thought you looked beautiful"

Hermione blushed before looking at the picture again. It was her staring intently down at the book in her hands. "Thank you "she blushed. " Um, can I um, Can I draw you. Again? This time with you knowing I mean?" Hermione nodded eagerly "Sure" she shouted " I..I mean yeah". She said a blush creeping up her cheeks

" Ok now, sit still" Draco reminded Hermione yet again as he drew her. He was almost finished and Hermione was starting to get antsy. She was sitting on a stool with her legs crossed and her hands folded on her lap. Her chin was raised proudly and her head was turned slightly to the right. The sun was touching her skin elegantly making her look more angelic than human, thus making Draco truly doubt why he ever thought she was anything less than beautiful. She is beautiful he thought as he finished the last of the picture. I'm a fool. How did I never see it before?" " Are you done Draco?" Hermione asked calling Draco out of his musings. "What? Oh yes Hermione it's finished."

Hermione Nervously got off the stool and walked over to Draco who was looking at her oddly. She shrugged it off and took the paper from his hands. It was beautiful. The girl sitting on the stool wasn't her, it couldn't be. She wasn't that pretty or beautiful. But that girl in the picture had her unruly bushy hair, her arched eyebrows, the curve of her nose and her bubble chin. Is this how I really look? Am I beautiful? Hermione thought as she held the picture in her hands. "Do you like it?" Draco asked a hopeful expression on his face. "Yeah. Its amazing Draco. But I don't think that me, I mean that girl shes..Shes beautiful" Draco frowned "Hermione. That's you. I drew you, Hermione you are beautiful" Hermione gave a slight smile not truly believing Draco's words. "Yeah well I got to go. I'll see you around Draco"

Hermione turned away from Draco and walked out of the room, trying to decide if Draco had actually meant what he said about her being beautiful. Draco found at his friend as she walked away to her class. How could she not think she's beautiful? He mused as he looked out the windows of the hospital wing. Suddenly, his father's owl _ showed up, dropped a note unto his lap and flew out the window.

Draco slowly opened the letter, wondering what his father wanted.

Dear Dragon,

Severus flooed to talk about your incident, he has told me the virus has spread at an alarming rate and is currently working on a potion to slow it down. He is also working researching a cure but it will take time, time you can't afford to lose. So, I will speak with the dark lord to see if he can reverse the damage, if needed I will arrange for you to be pulled out of school for a weekend or two so the dark lord can help.

Don't use your energy too much and watch out for that Mudblood Granger girl, Severus mentioned she was spending time with you. A way to find out your weakness no doubt, I'm proud of you though for keeping her close, this way you know exactly what your enemies are going to do. If I were you, I would try and gain her trust.

Keep an eye out,

You're Father.

After reading Draco sighed and crumpled the letter angrily. "I can't believe him, something's will never change" Draco sighed again before falling asleep.

Lucius Malfoy was a man of action. He was never one to sit and let things play out without making sure the odds were in his favor. And it was with that notion that Lucius Malfoy asked to speak with the dark lord about helping his son. It was with a heavy heart that Lucius waited for his lords' arrival, he knew that the dark lord didn't take kindly to favors and asking for help would most undoubtedly mean Lucius would owe something to the heir of Slytherin.

With a bang shaking the entire Malfoy manor, Voldemort appeared in Lucius study looking both annoyed and curious. His blood red eyes searching those of his servant, who quickly ran over to his lord, bowed and kissed the hem of his robes. "Please dear Lucius, sit" said the dark wizard whom walked over to Lucius's desk claming the head chair as his.

Lucius gulped but quickly complied, grabbing another chair and sitting in front of the desk waiting for his permission to speak. "Now, what is it that you wishss to sspeak with me about?" asked Voldemort with a pop of the T. Again Lucius gulped not sure why he was feeling such nervousness. "It's about my son my lord, it seems after receiving your generous mark he has fallen ill and may be on his deathbed if he is not helped soon. I ask that you help my son" The dark lord smirked at the aristocrat "What makes you think that I would help you or your son?" Lucius looked at the Slytherin with confusion. "My lord, I... I have served you for a long time and this is the first time I have asked for anything. My can be of good use to you my lord just help him"

The dark lord stared intently at the man before him " Your son is already being used for his purpose, and since he is dying as you say then he should have no fear for consequence should he fail, it will be easier for him to kill Dumbledore out in the open now. As for helping him, the dark mark only kills those who do not truly give themselves to my cause. Which is the reason I have no spies against me, if your son is not accepting of our cause then my dear Lucius, he should die and I will not help him, Now make sure he gets his job done or you and your wife will be the next people on their deathbed" snarled the dark wizard before combusting in a cloud of dark smoke and disappearing.

Lucius sat staring at the spot his lord was standing at just a moment ago shocked to his core. He knew the dark lord was evil and cruel, but Lucius had stood beside the man for most of his life. Shaking his head at the betrayal a sudden thought occurred to him, rushing to his desk he penned a quick letter out to Severus to alert him the moment his son would be realized from the hospital wing. He knew what he had to do but he needed time to prepare for his plan and he needed his son to do something first.

There you have it guy's chapter 7! Hope you all enjoy, sorry it took so long. Sorry for leaving it at a cliffy sort of but this was the best way to end the chapter. Please review and let me know what you think.