A/N- And here we are, finally, with another chapter. Sheesh, I thought this chapter would never end!

Special mention goes to Dreamer of Destiny, because I have to admit that it was their review that set that mind of mine off on the path which eventually led to Ginny becoming nice again. That sub-plot really was too clichéd, and after reading one too many similar fics I gave up on the idea of ever managing to make that kind of thing work. Let's face it people, I cannot write trashy romance to save my life.

Disclaimer – oh boy am I bored of writing this. Well let's see…if I owned any kind of rights to Harry Potter, do you really think I would be sitting here writing this? I'm glad you agree with me.

Warnings – Slash, cursing (which, incidentally, I've been forbidden to do at school, 'cos some mates of mine think I swear too much. I don't, really) and mentions of abuse/self harm. Enjoy.

Speech "Blah"

Thoughts 'Blah' and sometimes 'Blah'

DmHp

"What do you mean, you can't find him?" The Dark Lord sneered, his knuckles turning white as he tightened his grip on his wand.

Pettigrew had jumped and emitted a little squeak, but now shivered as he attempted to stutter out a reply.

"W-w-well, you s-see, he – ah, he, um, w-well…"

Seeing the smaller man was only irritating their master further, another death eater stepped forward.

"Milord." After receiving a glare of recognition, the man continued "It appears as though the traitors have simple…disappeared. However, 'Milord, I'm almost certain that there are, ah, methods of persuasion we could use to force them out into the open."

Voldermort raised an eyebrow, sneering at the man. "If you think Lucius is stupid enough to run without making sure his family is safe, you are even more idiotic than I previously thought. Unless, of course, you are implying that I cannot form a plan of action myself?"

The death eater's eyes widened in fear, and the man quickly shook his head, denying the accusation.

"N-never, my Lord," the man stumbled over his words, no longer laughing at Pettigrew inside his head for his nervousness "I was merely stating that-…"

"Shut up, Anderson." Voldermort snapped, making the man hastily step back into his original position in the circle. The snake like man stood, glaring at each of the men gathered with equal displeasure.

"You disappoint me, my so loyal subjects. Just when I was beginning to think of you as almost worthy, something such as this has to happen to make me think otherwise. I guess you're just going to have to make it up to me."

A collective shiver passed through the death eaters as Voldermort smiled sweetly, each knowing that he was in the mood for punishment. The man kept on walking, smirking at Pettigrew as the rat crawled back to his place, twirling his wand in his right hand. Each hooded figure breathed a silent sigh of relief as he passed them, thinking that they were safe.

"Ah, Crabbe, Goyle."

The two men stiffened, turning their heads towards their master and answering as one.

"Milord?"

"You were close to Mr. Malfoy, were you not?"

The two men almost laughed at the hilarity of the situation, only just managing to keep a straight face. Close with a Malfoy? Their Lord was just picking on them because they were more faithful to Lucius then they were to him, and he knew it.

"I suppose you could say that, My Lord," Goyle answered, keeping his voice even and choosing his words carefully. "only, he told us very little. We have not been as friendly of late as we once were."

"Still," Voldermort was still smiling, telling them that he was very annoyed "surely you could have picked up on the fact that he was never as loyal as you?"

'Oh, I picked up on it. You never did, though,' was Crabbe's thoughts, but it wasn't what he said to his master.

"He never mentioned anything, My Lord. We never thought he would even think about abandoning the cause."

"The Cause?" Voldermort drawled, scowling lightly. "Is that what it's called now? The bloody cause? Crucio!"

Crabbe's knees gave way as the curse hit him, the pain sending him to the floor screaming.

"Listen up, all of you!" Voldermort finally let up on the curse, leaving the man to lie twitching as he walked to the middle of circle. "Don't kid yourselves. You're not in this for the cause - you are here to serve me! Me and me alone! Don't you bloody forget it! Zabini?"

The women in question stepped forward.

"Owl your son. I have a job for him."

DmHp

Harry rolled over, pulling the covers a little closer as the cold morning air washed over him. Not opening his eyes, he stretched out an arm, searching for Draco in the empty space beside him. Empty?

Harry snapped his eyes opening, sitting up in panic as he looked around frantically for his mate, screaming in his mind as he found he couldn't see him anywhere.

'Shit oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh my god, Draco!'

Trying to not let his mind linger too much on the limitless possibilities as to what might have happened (the most terrifying scenario being that the veela had left him during the night, no longer wanting to be with someone so clingy and needy), the boy fumbled to put his glasses on, throwing back the covers as he made to search for the Slytherin.

"He only went to the bathroom, you know."

"Wha…?" Harry stopped panicking for just moment, long enough to register the statement and look for the speaker. Ginny sat up a little straighter in her chair, tugging at the ends of her baggy t-shirt as she waited for the dark haired teenager to calm down.

"Oh. Ginny. What are you doing here?" Harry couldn't really remember the last time he had spoken to the youngest Weasley child, and didn't have to think hard as to why he had avoided her. Not that he had had much free time of late anyway, but still…

"Ah…well, you see, um…" The red-head stared at the floor, still nervously playing with the hem of her t-shirt as she searched for the right words. Harry made himself comfortable as she did so, propping up some pillows behind him - and, of course, he couldn't help but glance around the wing once more in search of Draco.

"I'm sorry," the girl finally cried, wrenching her eyes up from the ground to look the other teenager in the eye. "I'm sorry I haven't visited of late, I'm sorry I haven't been at all supportive, I'm sorry I didn't believe that you were in love, I'm sorry for calling Draco a death eater, I'm sorry for believing my brother, I'm sorry for being so clingy, I'm sorry (it was around here that Harry unsuccessfully tried to stop her, not being able to decipher her babble) I was so blind and I'm sorry for trying to hurt you both and I'msorryItriedtoruinthingsforyouandDraco."

Ginny finally stopped talking, running out of steam as she breathed deeply to fill her lungs with much need oxygen.

"Um…what?"

Ginny sighed, crossing her legs underneath her as she leaned back in the chair.

"Look, I'm just sorry, okay. I haven't been a good friend of late, and last night…I came by hoping to change your mind about dating Draco and I thought…I can see now that this is real, and that you're both in love. I'm sorry."

Harry didn't say anything, and instead settled for staring at Ginny as though she had gone mad. What the hell was going on?

"I think I speak for the entire world when I say this though," Ginny suddenly said, a wry smile forming on her lips "You and Malfoy…I never saw that one coming."

Harry laughed at this, and was glad to see Ginny smiling too, no longer looking nervous or upset.

"So…you're okay with it? Draco and I, I mean."

Ginny's face fell, and she looked at the floor again.

"Look, I'm not going to deny it, Harry; I like you (Harry blushed bright red at this, even though he had known it all along). However, after last night…I've been an idiot. I had put a love potion in some chocolates, and well…I was so stupid! I saw Draco last night, and…I saw something that changed my mind. I don't deserve you Harry; I don't love you. You deserve someone who can love you, and treat you right. Draco's good for you, I can see that now… so yes, I'm okay with it."

"Thank you, Ginny," Harry smiled brightly, patting her arm gently "that means a lot to me."

"You mean…you're not mad at me?" Ginny looked at him in disbelieve, her eyes widening comically as he shook his head.

"Nope. You never actually got to carry out you plan, did you? And you've apologised – a lot – and…Ginny, I love you like a sister, really I do. I couldn't stand it we weren't friends, I really couldn't. I'm so sorry that I don't like you the same way, but I really do love Draco. I do, however, think I know someone who likes you a hell of lot more than you like me."

Ginny blushed, a small smile creeping onto her lips. "Really?"

"Really." Harry replied, grinning, already able to picture little miniature Ginnys' and Nevilles' inside his head "I'm glad you're my sister, Gin'."

DmHp

Hermione smiled a little as the sound of singing birds reached her ears, enjoying the gentle breeze was currently kissing her skin. Not daring to open her eyes for fear that it was merely a dream, she snuggled closer to her source of warmth, giggling quietly as silky hair brushed up against her cheek and she breathed in the distinct smell of strawberries and chocolate.

Slowly, the fogginess that sleep often left behind faded from her mind, and she began to register the fact that she was outside, leaning up against something hard and quite frankly itchy as someone else leant against her, her head gently resting on theirs that lay upon her shoulder.

'OH SHIT!'

Hermione opened her eyes, quickly taking in her surroundings and groaning in her head as she confirmed her fears.

They had fallen asleep. Outside.

Looking down at her shoulder, Hermione smiled fondly at the Slytherin girl who was resting against her shoulder, enjoying the sight of the dark haired girl at peace. Such an angel…

Hermione violently shook her head, abruptly cutting off that line of thought before it even started, storing it away in a secluded area of her mind. She did not need to be thinking about a good friend in such a manner. She simply wouldn't allow it.

She continued to stare, though, captivated by the simple beauty of the woman she carried such a maddening infatuation for. Hermione simply couldn't understand how the girl had ever acquired the description of 'pug-faced', as such a beauty could only be described as a modern day Eve.

Glancing at her watch, the Gryffindor gave a soft sigh and shook her head, resigning herself to waking the sleeping girl so they would have time to shower and change before their first class. She placed one hand on Pansy's leg and shook it gently, rousing the other teenager to an at least half-awake state before speaking.

"Good morning," she spoke softly, unwilling to disturb the tranquillity of the morning.

"Mmm…G'morning," was the murmured reply, Pansy's velvety voice reassuring the other girl that she wasn't angry about their night sleeping under the stars. The young woman blinked a few times, before sitting up straight and stretching her arms high above her head.

"Sorry for falling asleep like that," she said, her voice just as quiet as Hermione's had been "I didn't even notice my eyes closing."

The Gryffindor shrugged, standing up and grabbing her bag "It's alright," she replied, helping Pansy up too "It's not like I minded."

The two young women simple stood staring at each other for a few moments, before blushing and looking away in unison before beginning the trek back up to the castle.

DmHp

"Morning love," the blonde announced his arrival, drawing the two Gryffindor's attention to the parting in the curtain where he stood.

"Draco!" Harry scrambled out of bed, easily manoeuvring around Ginny's chair before leaping into his boyfriend's arms.

"Don't you dare ever even think about letting me wake up alone again! Do you hear me? Never again!" Harry berated the Slytherin, speaking into his shoulder as he clutched at the blonde's nightclothes. "Never again!"

Draco smiled gently, wrapping his arms around Harry in a comforting gesture and rubbing small circles on his lower back.

"I'm sorry love," he replied, kissing his mate's hair "I wasn't thinking straight. Thank you, Weasley, for keeping him calm."

The red head smiled at him, shrugging as she stood up to leave.

"No matter," she replied "he really did freak out though at first. I'll leave you two alone; see you later, Harry." And then she was gone, drawing the curtains closed behind her.

Harry breathed in deeply, not lessening his grip; simply reassuring himself that Draco was still just there, holding him, loving him.

"Harry," he heard Draco say, and then felt the blonde kiss what skin he could reach behind his ear "I'm not going to leave you. I love you."

"Love you too," Harry whispered, finally pulling back. "Sorry," he said, suddenly embarrassed "I-…sorry."

Draco smiled adoringly at him, before leaning down to kiss the Gryffindor softly on the lips.

"Mmm," Harry hummed, almost purring in delight "now that's a proper good morning."

Draco chuckled lightly, before reaching a hand around Harry's neck and pulling him close again.

DmHp

"Albus…"

The headmaster looked up from the piece of parchment he was reading, momentarily putting the latest letter from the minister out of his mind when he saw the grave look on the Transfiguration teacher's face.

"Yes, Minerva?"

"I…I thought I had better come to you, I – there's been some, ah, disruptions of late."

"Oh? How so?"

"Do you remember that conversation we had about a week ago; about how you had suspicions that the Slytherin house was being spied on?"

Dumbledore immediately put the letter aside, gesturing for the woman to take a seat in front of his desk.

"Oh, it's simply dreadful, Albus! You wouldn't believe some of the rumours I've been hearing; my very own Gryffindor students discussing who's a death eater and who isn't. Albus, I had to split up three fights today alone; seven Slytherin students in total I've had to send to hospital wing. Of course, I've given the culprits detention for weeks – but Albus, they told me… do you know what one sixth year Gryffindor said in his defence? 'He's a Slytherin, miss; surely you must understand'. I gave him two weeks detention just for that. And do you know Nott, a seventh year Slytherin? He beat up three second years all on his own – all Slytherin students, mind you – and then turned around and told me that they deserved everything they got for being traitors to their house! Albus, this is really getting out of hand!"

The headmaster sighed, pulling off his half moon glasses and rubbing his eyes in a gesture of exhaustion.

"I know, Minerva, I know. Alas, like I told you before, there is nothing we can do until the potion is completed. I don't know what to do."

The Transfiguration teacher wiped a tear away from her eye, partly out of pity for the Slytherin's and partly because she had never seen the headmaster looking so old and weary. There was nothing he could do, and he knew it.

DmHp

Blaise rolled over in his bed, closing his eyes in a vain attempt to drift back off to sleep. He wasn't quite sure what had woken him in the first place, but upon finding out that the sun was only just rising, he had groaned and pulled the hangings around his bed closed again.

An insistent tapping alerted him as to why he had woken, and he curse whatever was making the noise. Angrily grabbing a pillow, he stuffed it over his head, hoping to muffle the sound.

No such luck.

Growling in annoyance, the teenager wrenched back in curtains and swung his legs out of bed, taking a moment to look around the dormitory. Ah. There was an owl tapping at the window.

What the fuck was a bloody bird doing tapping at the window at such an un-fucking-godly hour of the morning?

'Oh God,' was Blaise's next thought 'It'll be from of our parents.' By 'our', of course, he meant the parents of anyone in that in dormitory; all of them had death eaters as parents, but only some of the boys hated them for it. Nott, for example, adored his father and aspired to be a death eater just like him, but Blaise despised his mother for what she did, hating that she had lowered herself to such a level. Kissing someone's shoes was not seen as dignified behaviour in any circle, pureblood or otherwise. The whole 'murdering muggles' didn't help her cause much either.

Crabbe and Goyle though…he had never been too sure about them, even if they were his best friends. Oh sure, he knew that they supported the 'light', but he had never quite understood their relationship with their fathers – and, to be quite honest, he often question the elder Crabbe and Goyle's loyalty the Dark Lord. His friends had never said anything though, so he never asked.

Turning his mind back to the problem at hand, Blaise approached the window with dread, crossing his fingers in the hopes that the owl would not be from his mother. It was a rather plain owl – brown all over – but the young man was not fooled by that; none of their parents would use a family owl to send word from the Dark Lord. They weren't that stupid. They did, however, usually write their child's name in confidence, feeling that it was their own fault if they let such an important letter fall into the wrong hands or forgot to burn it after reading.

He unlatched the window and let the bird in, untying the letter from its leg before watching the owl take off towards the owlery for refreshment. Turning the letter over, his heart plummeted at the name on the front.

Blaise Zabini.

Blaise groaned, tearing the letter open and pulling out a piece of parchment covered with almost illegible print, obviously written by a clumsy hand in haste. It wasn't signed, but he knew instantly that it was from his mother.

His face drained of colour at the message within.

The Dark Lord has a task for you…

DmHp

A/N; ah, sorry about the cliff-hanger! I'm just happy to have this chapter finished, so I'm ending it here at 8pages in length.

I'm really sorry that I didn't reply to everybody's reviews, but Thank you very much for all of them!

See you in a week or two!