Alright here is chapter nine. This was probably my favorite one to write. There will be an IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER! PLEASE READ IT! Furthermore, I do not own Harry Potter.


Hermione came to dinner holding two babies. Ron looked up and helped her sit down by grabbing Madison from her. "Thanks" she replied while sitting down.

"No problem." Ron continued to hold Madison. "Where's Jess?"

"I don't know. She asked me to watch Madison and then left. She should be coming though."

"Oh, is something wrong?" Harry asked while grabbing for his cup.

"I don't know, Harry. She won't tell me anything. I can tell she's upset thought." Hermione sighed softly.

Malfoy looked over at the Gryffindor table. He noticed there was no sign of his partner, but his daughter was there with Harry and his little group. He rolled his eyes in frustration. They were going to contaminate the poor thing. His head turned to notice a person coming to dinner late. It was no surprise to him it was Jess. He watched her walk to the table and relieve Ron of holding their child. Malfoy then went back to his dinner and ate slowly. The longer he took, the less he would have to deal with her tonight. He was still angry with her and wanted to have nothing to do with her. The only satisfaction he had, was catching her off guard with that kiss. A smirk placed on his lips as we recounted the look on her face. It was priceless. He knew she wouldn't want to talk about it to anyone, so he was safe from anyone knowing.

"Hey Ron? Have you talked to Ginny lately?" Jess asked casually.

"Not really. I thought she would have talked to you more recently than me." He looked over at his younger sister sitting by Dean Thomas.

"No, she's been busy with Dean, and we've all been busy with this project."

"That makes sense, I guess."

"Speaking of the project, how are you three doing so far?" Hermione butted in.

"Lavender isn't bad. We get along well enough." Ron commented.

"Same with Parvati and I. We have out moments but that's normal." Harry said with a small smile.

"Well, we haven't killed each other yet." Jess said while stealing a quick glance over at the Slytherin table. "How about you and Seamus?"

"Oh, we're fine. Emma has been pretty easy to take care of. I've gotten all of my homework done." Hermione replied, while looking down at Emma.

They continued to eat in silence for a while. Jess didn't pay much attention to her food and instead played with Madison. After a little while, Harry and Ron started a conversation about their upcoming Quidditch match. Hermione pulled out her Charms book and began working on a paper. People began to slowly exit the room. Harry and Ron left when about half of the people were left. Hermione continued to work until most of the people were gone. The only person relatively close to her at the table was Jess. After finishing a sentence, Hermione put away her homework and stood while holding Emma.

"Are you coming Jess?" She asked, while looking at her.

"Yeah, just a minute." Jess finished the last bit of her dessert and stood up. She grabbed her bag in one hand, while holding Madison in the other. They both walked back to the hall where all of the sixth years were staying. Hermione opened her door while talking to Jess.

"I'll see you in the morning. Hang in there, alright?" A hint of worry was in her eyes.

"I'm trying Hermione." Jess gave her a small smile before walking back to her room. When she got to the door she stood there for a moment, arm stretched and reaching for the doorknob. "Alright Jess, you can do this. Just ignore him. Don't let him get to you." This was easier said than done. After a few calming breaths she grabbed the doorknob and opened it, walking into the living room.

Malfoy was lounging on the couch without a care in the world. Jess walked by and they made no notice of each others presence. She proceeded into their bedroom, and changed Madison's diaper. She had fed her at dinner so she was good for the time being. Laying her in her crib, Jess opened her backpack. She grabbed out her Herbology homework and finished it. Jess locked the door and changed into her pajamas. All she really wanted to do was sleep. The days events had tired her and angered her to a high degree. If only there was a way to get rid of Malfoy. But unfortunately, there wasn't…

If Monday wasn't tough enough, the next few days proved to be extremely difficult for both Jess and Draco. No words were shared between them, unless absolutely necessary, which was difficult while having to take care of a child as well as keep up with school. The teachers seemed to be against the students lately and gave them large amounts of homework. Even enough to have Hermione in disarray.

"I can't believe this!" She squeaked while gathering her parchments together. "Every class today gave us a foot long essay!"

"At least some of them are due on Monday." Jess retorted, also being frustrated.

"We have two essays due tomorrow as well as we are supposed to be practicing non-verbal Charms!" Hermione replied.

"Well at least tomorrow is Friday. We'll have time to catch up."

"But we have Quidditch on Saturday!" Ron moaned rather loudly.

"You still have Sunday, Ron." Hermione reminded him.

"I think Snape's out to get us!"

"Ron, Professor Snape isn't out to get us."

"How do you know?"

"I just do, Ronald!"

"Guys is this really necessary…" Harry was cut off by both Hermione and Ron glaring at him.

"You keep out of this!" They snapped. Harry realizing it would be a good idea, kept quiet. Jess patted his shoulder.

"I wouldn't try and get in-between those two." She whispered so only Harry could hear. They continued working on their essays as Ron and Hermione bickered. After ten minutes of this Hermione and Ron settled once more and began their essays. It was getting close to dinner, but they made no signs of taking a break.

"Lets go down to dinner," Ron suggested.

"We can in a few minutes." Hermione retorted, not looking up from her parchment.

"But dinner is about to start."

"You can wait a few minutes, Ron."

He groaned, "fine. How long is a few minutes?"

"What does it sound like? A few minutes!"

"You always lose track of time when studying though."

"I do not!"

"Do too, Hermione!"

"Do not, Ron!" Jess and Harry looked at each other, then at Ron and Hermione. They continued to work for another fifteen minutes in silence, before Ron complained again.

"We're missing dinner!" Ron moaned as he finished a sentence on his essay.

"Do you have to be there for the entire dinner?" Hermione questioned, still working on her essay.

"No, but we'll miss the entire thing if left up to you!"

"We will not, Ron!"

"Will too!"

"Just a few more minutes!"

"No! I'm hungry!"

"So am I!"

"Well, let go then!"

"No! Just a few more minutes!"

"Will you two shut up?! I'm sick and tired of you two constantly at each others throats, over the stupidest things! Grow up!" Jess shouted while slamming her fist down on her parchment, spilling ink all over the table. Harry sighed, knowing sooner or later either him or Jess was going to snap. Ron and Hermione looked at her shocked. Hermione uttered a spell and cleaned up the spilled ink.

"Jess?" She said meekly, hoping not to have her yell again.

"Hermione, finish the sentence you're writing. Then we're going to dinner, alright?" Everyone nodded and finished up the sentence they were in the middle of writing. Jess got up and headed down to dinner and sat besides Ginny.

"Hey," Ginny smiled, as Jess sat down, seeing the expression on her face her smile vanished. "What's up?"

"Ron and Hermione won't stop arguing over the stupidest of things. Not to mention I have had to deal with Malfoy." Jess ran a hand though her hair and sighed. Ginny plucked Madison out of her hands and bounced her on her knee.

"You know how they can be. Always at each others throats. Ron's always been one to complain, always has been." Ginny stated matter-of-factly.

"I suppose… They both are rather stubborn."

"So, how has Madison been?" Ginny asked while looking at Madison.

"She's been a handful, but I've bee enjoying it. She's a pretty good baby." Jess smiled at Madison gurgling happily.

"And to think she has essence of Malfoy, and yet is still cute."

"That is quite odd. Don't get me wrong, Malfoy's not ugly, but his attitude is piss-poor."

"Yeah…" Jess thought back to the encounter Malfoy and her had earlier in the week. She had, had a quick glimpse of his eyes. They hadn't been as cold and stony as they usually were. She was able to see the beauty beneath them, only for a few seconds. Finishing what was on her plate, Jess rose from the table, while still wondering about it. "I think I'm going to turn in early tonight."

"Alright, here you go," Ginny softly placed Madison in her arms.

"See ya," Jess began walking away.

"Hey Jess?"

She turned and faced Ginny. "Yeah?"

"Want to sit together at the Quidditch match on Saturday?"

A small smile appeared on Jess' face. "You know the answer to that."

Ginny also smiled. "Where we usually meet?"

"You know it! I'll see you before then, most likely." Jess waved and left back up to her room. She placed Madison in her crib. Then she grabbed out her essay for Transfiguration, having mostly finished her one for Potions earlier in the day. Ron might be right about Snape, she thought to herself while chuckling. After all he had assigned an essay today and expected it on his desk by noon tomorrow. Even though they didn't have his class tomorrow. An hour went by and Jess finished her Essay for McGonagall. She heard the front door open, signaling Malfoy was back. Ignoring his arrival, Jess grabbed her pajamas and headed for the shower.

Draco didn't look up as he heard her walk into the room. Grunting he lugged out his Potions essay. Snape was being unusually cruel. "Who does he think he is?" He said quietly to himself. Then he heard the shower turn on. "Damn, mudblood." He said a bit louder, knowing she wouldn't be able to hear him. Running a hand through his hair, Draco began working on the essay once more. All he had was to write a conclusion and he would be done. He would be able to slack off and not do as decent a job, and still get high marks. One of the advantages of being Snape's favorite student. It didn't hurt that Snape knew his father. Finishing his essay, Draco stood and went into the bedroom. He saw Madison in her crib and decided to pick her up. Madison cooed quietly, making a smile creep up on Draco's face. She was much better than the mudblood. For one thing, she didn't argue with him. Another thing, she wasn't Jess. Which instantly ranked her higher on his scale of likability. Draco then set Madison down on his bed and proceeded to make goofy faces at her.

Are you wondering if you read that correctly? The Draco Malfoy? Making funny faces to appease a baby? Well no one is looking. Not that he knows of anyway…

Draco didn't notice the shower turn off. He was actually enjoying himself. Madison was giggling away.

Meanwhile Jess dried off and changed into her pajamas. She then walked into the bedroom to see one of the most unimaginable scenes. Malfoy, making funny faces at Madison. She stood there for a moment in utter shock, not knowing whether to leave quietly or to bust out, laughing. Jess chose to stand there and watch.

Draco continued to make funny faces at Madison. He laughed along with her, with no trace of malice in his laugh. Jess couldn't help but smile. At least he was being civil to her. She shifted her weight and made the floorboard creek below her.

Draco turned and saw her standing there. Instantly a glare came over his features. "What are you staring at, mudblood?" He picked up Madison and put her back in her crib.

"Nothing" the smile disappeared from her face. She walked over to her bed and went to sleep. Malfoy glared at her for a few moments before getting into his own.

At around two in the morning a loud boisterous noise came from the living room. Madison began to wail loudly. Jess sat bolt upright, her eyes widening. Draco stirred in his bed, his eyes shooting wide open.

All of a sudden an uproarious sound came once again from the living room. The thing in the living room made booming steps towards the bedroom. Jess jumped out of bed and over to Draco's.

"Draco?" She said with a hint of panic in her voice. He just laid there not saying a thing. "Draco!" Jess nudged his shoulder.

"What?" He asked while stifling a yawn.

Jess turned on the light. Draco quickly shielded his eyes. "What was that for?" He drawled lazily.

Another clamorous noise came from the living room. Jess eeped softly, as she slipped into Draco's bed. Draco looked at her as though she was insane.

"Please check it out" she whispered.

"Why? If you want to know what it is, you check it out." He narrowed his eyes. Another noise came from the living room, making its presence known.

"Please, Draco." She replied with fear lacing her tone. "I'm scared."

"If you leave me alone, I will." Draco stood up on the other side of the bed. He could hear the creature getting louder. Draco grabbed his wand as the door to the living room began to open slowly. Jess hugged her knees to her chest, under Draco's blankets.

Draco looked back at her for a moment. He saw the look on her face, one of utmost fear. Draco felt sorry for her, he felt something twinge when he saw her face.

The door continued to slowly open. Draco snapped his attention to the door. His wand raised and ready to blast whatever came at him. The door finally creaked open, and in walked in,… Lucius Malfoy.

Draco blinked a few times before registering what was happening. His father, the man he secretly detested was now standing in front of him. Lucius had his characteristic sneer plastered on his face. His eyes glinted with an all too familiar malice.

Draco faltered and took a step back. Fear consumed him as he stared down his accursed father.

Lucius whipped out his snake headed cane. Taking a step forward he deliberately pulled out his wand slowly.

Draco winced at the events he knew would follow. Jess looked on in utter and complete shock. Not sparing, any unneeded time to blink. Jess' gaze was fully concentrated on the two Malfoy's.

Lucius started to approach Draco at an even pace. Draco in turn retreated, matching every step Lucius took forward with taking one backward. Draco held up his wand shakily, his gaze never wavering from Lucius. Lucius had a malevolent smirk on his face as he raised his wand.

Draco then realized Madison's wails in the background. He stopped stepping back. Rooting his feet to where he stood. A certain feeling of protectiveness swam over him. It was in that moment that he realized none of them would survive if he didn't do something.

Lucius stopped his assault and stared down Draco. Draco felt all the color drain from his face. He had to do something. But what? Draco racked his brain for an idea, but nothing came to him. He was afraid, very afraid. Draco knew fully well, what his father was capable of. He also knew his father would let nothing get in the way of what he wanted, even if it meant killing his only son. The one thought that kept occurring to Draco was, how did he know about this project? Clearly the aspect of himself living with a mudblood for six weeks had sent Lucius over the edge. But who told him? He hadn't mentioned it to either his mother or father, knowing exactly how they would react. Had he found out from either Crabbe of Goyle's parents? That had to be it. There was no other explanation. Another question plagued Draco's mind. Why had he come in the dead of night? Usually he gave Draco a warning as to when he was coming. Draco rubbed one of his temples with his free hand. Lucius continued to stare him down, not moving once from his position, this unnerved Draco all the more. He was going to kill them. He knew it. First Lucius, would push him out of the way and kill Jess, torturing her for a good bit before delivering the final blow. Then he would walk over to Madison's crib. He would be disgusted that he shared blood with the 'vile creature'. Lucius would make short work of her. He would then turn to Draco, and a duel would ensure, ending with the light leaving Draco's eyes as well as the warmth in his body. Draco felt completely numb. He felt hopeless, lost and confused. Why did things have to end this way? He had dreamed for so long to be rid of his father, to have the freedom to be his true self. But he would never get that chance. The last thing he would see is, Lucius laughing at his 'pitiful' son.

Jess continued to look on. She was extremely curious as to why Lucius was stalling. He probably loved reveling in the quiet moments before he killed his victims. The creepy bastard! Jess looked at the look of helplessness on Draco's face. She had never seen him so scared, so frightened. He looked like a little lost child. She felt an immense feeling of pity. He had put up with this freak for a father his entire life. And now he was going to die. She glared at Lucius, who was staring menacingly at Draco, when it finally hit her…

"Draco!" Jess shouted as loud as she could. "Draco, its not your father!"

"Quiet, Jess…" Draco managed to spill out.

"No, Draco! Listen to me! It's a boggart!"

"What?!"

"Draco, it's a boggart! It transforms into the thing you fear most."

It clicked in Draco's mind. The thing he feared most was his father. Draco held up his wand more steadily, and with more confidence. With a clear and bold voice he shouted. "RIDDIKULUS!!" He then quickly ran to the door as the boggart twisted and contorted into many shapes, not being able to decide on just one. It zoomed out of the bedroom door and got to the main door just as Draco flung it open. The boggart then rushed past him. Draco slammed the door shut behind it. He walked shakily into the bedroom and collapsed unto his bed, on the opposite side of where Jess was still. Madison quickly calmed down and fell back asleep. Draco and Jess looked at each other. Draco's eyes were more vulnerable than she had ever seen him.

"Thanks" he croaked out before falling into a deep slumber. Jess looked at him and smiled, uttering a quiet "you're welcome," before falling asleep herself. She ever made it back to her bed…


AUTHOR'S NOTE: Everyone this is important! Although Chapter nine is up, I will be putting up ONE more chapter after this until I get more reviews. The reason for this is, I do this out of my free will and hope that I bring you joy in reading. But I do have a life outside of fanfiction, however small it is. I know there are some of you out there, that have added this to your favorites or story alerts but have not reviewed! What I say is if ALL of you could PLEASE write me a review? It would mean a lot to me and it would inspire me to write more! Thank you and as always PLEASE REVIEW!