I don't want to sound like I'm complaining people, but seriously, there's this very fascinating little feature on where I can see the number of hits for my story. Normally I would think, "Hmm, maybe Teresa is the only person reading this story." but when I see the number of hits in the triple digits for a certain chapter, I think, "Why the heck won't a few of you leave a review?" I sorta rely on those reviews to float me through these author notes. Answer questions and what not.

Disclaimer: I don't own HP.

Warnings: This story is so odd.

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Ghosts

Chapter Ten

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He searched all day but no one had seen her or had even a vague idea of who she was. He felt like he was possessed. Where was she? If only he could find her…

Part of him considered going to Dumbledore but he was too stubborn. What if Dumbledore didn't know? What if he laughed? Or decided Harry was too young to know?

To know family?

Maybe they think it'll make me weak…

But isn't my ability to love supposed to be my weapon?

His life had always been complicated and he never had time to just slow down and not worry.

The summer…

Draco and I…

Harry scowled. That was over now. Who cared? Certainly he had other things on his mind now. But all day, he would reach into his pocket and feel the note. The Armor Corridor.

At fifteen til nine that evening, Hermione was finishing her homework while Ron was busy putting his off. Harry was having trouble concentrating.

"You two are going to get behind again this year." Hermione reprimanded them.

"If you understand this Transfiguration homework then help me." Ron pleaded. Hermione crossed to his side of the table.

"Do you need help too, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"No." Harry started to gather his things together. "I have to go."

"Where are you going?" Ron looked up hopefully.

"Er, I have to meet Malfoy." Harry tried to sound nonchalant but that didn't stop Hermione's eyebrows from shooting up and Ron scowling. "I'm just going to grab my cloak…"

"What does he want to meet you about?" Hermione questioned.

"Dunno." Harry answered lamely. He didn't know, so he didn't understand why he thought that wasn't a real answer.

"I can't believe you're meeting him. Remember the last time he invited us out?" Ron pointed out.

"That was our first year." Harry knew he was going to be late if he didn't get a move on it. "See you guys."

He ran upstairs, grabbed his Invisibility Cloak and went out the portrait hole. The Armor Corridor was on the sixth floor. When he arrived, the torches were burning low. People joked that certain parts of the building were outright ignored when it came to maintenance. It was practically dark.

"Malfoy?" Harry called out softly. No answer. "Draco?"

"I'm right here." Draco stepped out from behind a suit of armor.

"Oh." Harry didn't know what else to say. Grimmauld Place was where they were friends. But here at Hogwarts, what were they? "So…what did you want?"

Draco crossed the room to go stand by a window. With one hand he very slowly pushed it open. He still didn't say a word.

"Did you have a question?" Harry tried but Draco looked so distant. "Do you remember when you challenged me to a duel our first year? Ron thought you might pull the same trick twice." He said it in a jovial tone, hoping Draco would make remark back.

No response.

Harry leaned his weight on one foot and then the other. Why wasn't Draco saying anything?

"Well…I guess…I have a lot of homework so if you don't need anything—" Harry started to back away but Draco suddenly spoke.

"Do I have to have a reason to talk to you?" Draco asked. Harry was a little surprised.

"I guess not." Harry decided slowly. "I just thought it was something specific…"

"It's not." Draco turned to look at him. "Well…I wanted to apologize about the train…"

"Oh. That." Harry felt irritated. He pursed his lips. "I didn't care."

"Then why did you ignore me later?" Draco asked in a knowing tone.

"God, what do you want me to do? Let you walk all over me? Let you treat me however you want?" Harry snapped at him.

"I had to do that." Draco's voice was getting louder. "I told you that you'd hate me but you didn't want to hear it! You wouldn't understand, you don't have to be a villain."

"Neither do you!" Harry retorted. "Don't talk to me like that. Don't just assume I won't understand."

"Oh, now you get me?" Draco rolled his eyes. "How endearingly boring." Harry felt anger beginning to stir deep within him.

I'm nothing to you.

"I don't understand you." Harry marched over to Draco. "Did you call me down here just to get into a fight?"

"I said I wanted to apologize." Draco reiterated. "I don't want you to ignore me." Harry's eyes widened. He felt the anger sort of melt away.

I don't want to be ignored…

Because…we need to be recognized. By everyone. And…

Each other.

"I won't." Harry promised. "Or, I'll try not to. You get on my nerves though." He grinned.

"The fact that you breathe annoys me." Draco gave a half smile. Then he gave him a scrutinizing look. "Have you been ignoring Ginny?"

"I wasn't ignoring her, I was trying to catch up with someone and Ginny was sort of in the way…I shouldn't have yelled at her." Harry leaned on the window sill, his back to the night.

"She was rather upset. Especially when she tried to talk to me about it. Pansy Parkinson was right there so I had to tell her to bugger off." Draco appeared apprehensive. "I'll make it up to her."

"Do you…like Ginny?" Harry looked over at him.

"Yes." Draco shrugged. "Although, not in the way I think you mean."

"I meant romantically." Harry clarified.

"No." Draco shook his head. "Why are you asking?"

"I was just curious." Harry felt heat going to his face. He had no idea why he was asking. Why did it matter?

Draco didn't say anything for a little while. Then he sort of fiddled with is hands. "I heard you're looking for someone."

"I am." Harry hesitated. Should he tell Draco about this?

"Who?" Draco inquired.

"It's going to sound ridiculous…no one really believes me…" Harry felt stupid for saying it to Draco. It was easier to say it to Hermione or Ron. "I saw this girl. A transfer. She's in Ravenclaw…I think she's my sister."

"A sister?" Draco's tone was suddenly cool.

"I don't know for sure…but she looks just like the pictures of my mom…except she has my dad's eyes." Harry turned to look out the window. "The opposite of me…heh. Kind of funny really. Every time I see her…she disappears…I was trying to get to her when Ginny stopped me."

"I don't think she's your sister." Draco's tone was harsh. "You're an only child."

"I know that. But what if she was?" Harry questioned.

"Then I wish you all the best." Draco gave a little two-fingered wave and began to turn away. "I'm sure you'll be busy with that…so I won't bother you…" He only took a step before something grabbed his sleeve. It was Harry.

He was looking down, his eyes in shadow. Then he lifted his face so that his eyes met Draco's. "Can't I have both?" His hand twisted so he grip Draco's wrist. "Can't I have her and you?"

"What would you need me for?" Draco asked solemnly. His eyes were averted now. Harry didn't answer. "If you can't answer, then let me go…"

Can I just let him go?

What do I need Draco for?

I need…I need…

Harry let go of Draco's wrist and embraced him. That night, not so long ago, when he woke up, feeling weak…he had needed something right then and Draco had given it to him. And now, Draco needed something. He needed his reassurance.

And then he let go of Draco.

"I'm not letting you go." Harry put his hands inside his pockets. "I'm not letting go of anything."

"You'll have to eventually." Draco's words were like a seed being planted in his mind.

What will I have to let go of?

I can't choose…I can't give up anything…

Why would anyone ask me to?

Harry left the Armor Corridor and put on his Invisibility Cloak, heading towards the Gryffindor common room. His head felt like it was swimming with images and feelings. How could he feel all these things at once? Maybe he'd have to give up one of these new feelings.

But his new feelings were something he wanted to treasure, even if he didn't understand them.

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"Harry." Luna Lovegood was waiting for him outside the portrait of the Fat Lady the next morning.

"Yes?" Harry couldn't figure out why she'd be waiting for him.

"Just wanted to answer your question." Luna smiled. "I know you've been thinking about it a lot."

"What?" Harry looked surprised. Could Luna read his mind? Did she know about him and Draco? Luna leaned in and Harry leaned in too, because she looked like she was going to whisper a secret to him.

"Her name is Helen Evans."

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Doo doo doo. Don't mind me. Just trying to surprise someone into reviewing.