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Nearly there

"You've got to be joking!" Silver wasn't at all pleased with what she had just heard.

"Keep it down, he's sure to be around here somewhere." Blake tried to calm her. "But it doesn't seem as forlorn to her as it does to you apparently. After all, She said yes."

"She didn't!" Silver wasn't sure how much longer she would be able to hold out before she went mad. Has she been that excommunicated from the group to the extremity of her not being informed on something as ground breaking as Ginny getting a boyfriend! Her mouth was open wide enough to fit a quaffle through. Much to the amusement of Dominic, being a Quidditch player and all.

"And with Michael Corner of all people?" she added.

"It was quite…surprising to hear. None of us saw it coming." Luna sat cross legged on the floor, revealing the plaid tights she wore underneath a long skirt. "Things have a funny way of just crawling up from behind you."

"Right. Well I think the three of you should stop meddling in her life and just be happy for her. Splendid idea isn't it Silver?" Dominic made an odd face, tightening his jaw and raising his brows.

"Certainly…not, Dom! This is a matter of great importance." Silver said, decidedly.

And then Blake brought up a issue Silver was desperately trying to avoid. "You would've known earlier you know. We've barely seen you these past couple of weeks."

Her mouth went dry. Was she supposed to say the truth?The forgone truth that she'd been spending the better portion of her time with Draco, raking for a way to fathom their secret affairs; Simply because if she would ever be seen with him around friends, they'd look down on her in disdain and exclude her? No, she could never utter the words. It was more than enough to confess she'd known him from her younger years.

"I..I've been –" she began before Dominic came to her rescue and interrupted. "She's been teaching me a few tricks of the trade on the broomstick, haven't you Silver?" he winked for good measure, "She's quite the chaser on the quidditch field."

She was glad for the save, but she doesn't play Quidditch. Just the thought of it was well, funny. Imagining her trying to dodge and catch balls, flying at racing speeds all the while keeping a steady balance on a broom was just that, something you could only imagine.

"Oh Dominic, you flatter me really you do." Her voice was too saccharine to be normal.

He pat her on the arm. "Oh you, you are too modest."

Silver almost laughed. "Yes, I must admit, I am a tad modest." She pinched her fingers together.

They resembled a side show at a circus. Patting each other more roughly than the last time until she finally pulled him away from the group.

"Quite the chaser, yes, yes, sign her up for the next Quidditch match." She grinned widely and lowered her voice to sound like him.

"Oh alright then I'll just go back and tell them you've been on hot pursuit of Draco Malfoy." He said very nonchalantly.

She gasped and he grinned. "I'm not after him," she whispered quickly, " And hes not after me. We're just..well we haven't- " she almost laughed at her constant struggle for words lately, "we're just friends alright."

"Ah my dear friend, you have got to admit he's haunting you in your dreams isn't he?" Dominic winked playfully.

Silver nearly keeled over. "We aren't discussing this Dominic Dates, end of conversation."

Fred and George Weasley, were lighting a pack of fireworks toward the ceiling of the Gryffindor common room, lighting up the dim room with a wide array of vibrant colors and illusions. A crowd of students gathered around them wooing and cheering when appropriate.

It wasn't long before the twin hellions were so caught up in their engrossing popularity that they lost concentration whilst lighting one, and it headed straight toward Lavender Brown, which was now in blatant pursuit of Fred.

"Aha! Don't let her catch you Fred!" George couldn't control himself, laughing to his heart's content at his brother's ill fortune.

Ginny looked frightened at the sight of Hermione pacing around like she had coals strapped to her feet. She'd occasionally point a finger at her looking as if she were ready to begin, but then she'd bring it down again and pace even harder. Her wild mane was tied into a bun, a few stray strands hanging loosely around her stern face. Ron and Harry seemed accustomed to this. She'd fall into these pacing fits when something was aggravating her, and this time that something was her unnerving frustration with the O. exam ( "They're only seven months away!" she would say).

Hermione was utterly appalled by the little she was learning in class, in complete horror as to the lack of study material she had for the O.W.L's. Ron tried to comfort her, but when it came to her schoolwork she was hopeless.

The only thing that seemed to brighten their spirits was Quidditch, and this was the last match of the term before the Christmas holidays. One side of the pitch was covered in red and gold, fans of Gryffindor no doubt, which seemed to be a lot more popular and crowded than the side in Green and Silver.

Ginny had replaced Harry as the Gryffindor seeker just as Fred and George were replaced. For the first time since his first year at Hogwarts, Harry stood in the stands as a spectator – and he wasn't the least bit thrilled.

"Woo! Ginny!" Silver cheered as she flew right past her hot on the trail of the snitch- which reminded her, she yet had to question her about her new relationship status. "Get that bloody snitch!" Silver began to yell when Dominic pulled her down to her seat.

"Relax, it's just a game." He laughed as she blushed in embarrassment. "I see you've been losing the American in you since you arrived. Bloody?"

She smiled sheepishly. "Alright can I say wicked instead then?"

Savannah snuggled closer to Terry and Blake sat a few benches down with Alec Hirsch. Luna stared into the sky, at nothing really. The weather was downright terrible. There hadn't been a clear day in weeks. There was just storm after storm day in and day out.

Draco Malfoy was trailing after Ginny Weasley when he gained speed and easily took the lead. He zoomed past the stadium and up towards the icy hail which in turn, pierced his skin like daggers. The tiny golden ball was flying up with great speed when it suddenly turned around and began to dart downwards again. He lost a bit of his balance on the broomstick when a bolt of lightning struck a few feet away from him and lost sight of the golden ball, when he heard cheers from below him.

"Ginny Weasly had caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins! Gryffindor wins!" he heard Lee Jordan announce.

He passed a hand through his hair in frustration at his own incompetence. He let his entire team down. The cup was nearly in Slytherin's possession, and thanks to today's match, he'd let it slip away. The stands were clearing when he finally found his way back down to the safety of solid ground.

"Way to go Malfoy." One of the members in green jeered behind him as the rest of the Slytherin team followed. Even Crabbe and Goyle eyed him suspiciously before they followed suit.

He slumped in place and clutched his broom tightly, nearly breaking it in half. He was so furious he didn't hear the roar of noise from Gryffindor and its fans simmer down or even take notice of the pitter patter of footsteps in the flooded grass steadily approaching him.

Silver was a bit hesitant to speak at first. She knew he had a short fuse, and it must've definitely been shortened to maximum capacity at the moment. "You alright?" she tilted her head to the side in a strained effort to catch a glimpse of his face. "You were up there for a while."

"We lost." He responded dully.

"It doesn't mean you didn't play a great game."

"Doesn't matter how great they played. I ruined it. It was all up to me to catch the bloody snitch and I didn't." he scoffed.

"It's a game Draco. They'll get over it."

He almost growled. "Right." He turned to walk away but she quickly caught up with him.

She peered over at him. "I'm sorry, I just.." she was trying to keep in step with him, "..don't want to see you upset like this."

He continued to walk as if she hadn't said a word, only because he didn't know how to react to someone's concern.

She'd lost pace with him, nearly about to give up on her efforts when she had a sudden case of déjà vu, "I'm trying here."

"Im trying here." he said squirming his arm around to get it off her, not expecting her to hold it down in place.

Her teasing had barely, if any truth at all. The truth was, she felt very safe with him, although she wouldn't admit it aloud. Because that would make things awkward, wouldn't it? They were just friends after all and he probably wasn't struggling with the same feelings she had been in combat with since the day of their reconciliation.

"Practice makes perfect." She winked for good measure. But her sudden actions surprised even her when she felt a jolt of electricity resonate in the spot where his arm was draped around her, dauntingly similar to the same fizzle Draco felt when she had decided to tilt her head against him and fall asleep in a matter of minutes.

He stopped walking and glanced at her momentarily."You're going to get sick." He grabbed her arm and hurried her into a covered area of the pitch. The dimly lit changing room, full of their uniforms and brooms, was fortunately still open and he led her inside. He then went on to the lockers, rummaging through his designated alcove for his uniform robes. He dusted them off a bit as he walked over to her and placed it around her shoulders.

"Thanks" she mumbled. Her hands touched his when she went to grab the black fabric and pull it tighter around her neck.

The electricity was back, and this time he couldn't find it in him to pretend it wasn't there. Despite his previous promises. He planted his hands on hers, keeping them in place when she made the effort to jerk them away.

"Don't mention it." The smug look on his face had completely disappeared, exposing a more vulnerable expression. He involuntarily found his head lowering until it was at eye level with her. He stepped forward, closing the space between them to to nearly an inch. Her stomach lurched in knots and she felt her heart beating so loudly, she was almost sure it had leaped out of her chest. A faint blush spread on her cheeks which he found so amusing. His fingers gently touched the blush, which deepened on contact.

She lifted her arms cautiously, firmly placing them on his chest and now it was his turn to question where his heart might have wandered off too. The rapid thumping he felt cradled under her thin fingers was a sure sign that she had found it. A set of dimples surfaced at the curl of her lips. "Silver." She felt his hot breath on her face and for a second thought her knees were going to give out. "I-"

"What's going on here?" a high pitched voice echoed through the silent room just before they felt a jolt of static come between them sending them crashing rather violently into opposing walls.

"I'd expect better from you." Professor Umbridge jostled her wand at the blonde boy whom showed no interest in the woman standing before him, since his eyes were still glued on the brunette across from him. The sharp pain in his shoulder was insufferable, but he raised himself to stand and began to make his way to the girl still hunched stiffly against the wall; When a red spark of light cut in front of him.

"A member of my very own Inquisitorial squad. Up to these shenanigans! Oh the world of trouble you will be in when I send a post to your father." She shook her head and pursed her lip, her wand anchored to the right at Silver, as if she was threatening to hurt her if he were to take another step.

"What'd you do to her?!" His voice was steady and cold, more daunting than if he were yelling with all his might. His body towered over the small woman and she jumped back a little, frightened. "Nothing at all! She couldn't take the blow as well as you did is all. "

He growled and feebly attempted to walk over to the unmoving figure once again when the Professor armed herself and put a barrier in between the two. "Very disrespectful Mr. Malfoy. Disobeying my orders. I'm willing to look past this after a few lines. Now come along." He wasn't listening which proved to be making her very upset. "You have broken quite a handful of rules , I think it's in your better judgement if you listened to me this instant."

Silver was beginning to come around slightly, but her head fell back down as quickly as she had lifted it, a slight dizziness overwhelming her. He watched her from behind the translucent blockade in heart wrenching horror and threw his head down in defeat.

"Someone needs to take her to the hospital wing." Draco sneered as best he could, but failed to hide the worry in his voice.

"I'll take care of it dear. Now, on your way. Run along."

He turned to look at Silver from the corner of his eye before he took his leave. He glared at her and she quivered, almost dropping her wand. When she made sure the tall blonde was out of sight she eyed the girl inside "Dementors are such incapable creatures." She said before pointing her wand at her, emitting yet another red spark in her direction and then closed the door securely.

"This should've been taken care of years ago. Another Potter running around unleashing havoc is the last thing this school needs."

----

"Wha -? Luna how'd you get in here?" Ron squealed on a large red couch of the Gryffindor common room.

Luna looked around for a minute, before recognizing that she was the one being addressed. She shrugged her shoulders and continued to stroll around the room.

Hermione was at a desk, jotting down notes from a rather bulky textbook and squirmed in her seat when she saw her. She stared over at Ron which was just as confused as she was. She pushed back her seat and stood quickly, walking over to the blonde. "Luna, do you have our password?"

"No." she responded coyly.

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed together. "Well….how did you get in here then?"

"Not sure."

"Alright…" Hermione glanced at Ron for help.

"Oh right. I was looking for Silver. Have any of you seen her?"

"No, but she certainly wouldn't be in the Gryffindor common room – I can assure you." Hermione said.

Ron's face flustered strangely. "Where could she be? We're all supposed to be in our common rooms. It's well past curfew." Hermione nodded in agreement.

"Hey Ron did you - ?" Harry stopped on the second to last step when he caught sight of Luna Lovegood.

"Luna? How did you…." He decided it was probably best not to ask when Hermione and Ron shot him a look.

"Have you seen Silver?" Ron asked. Harry shook his head.

"I haven't seen her since the end of the Quidditch match," Luna frowned, "We're beginning to worry. Filch already caught Blake and Dominic sneaking around when we went to look for her. I ran away – and then….I ended up here."

By this time, Ginny was already rounding a corner to the group – wondering why there was a stray Ravenclaw in their common room. Hermione thought hard back to the afternoon's events. She was one of the last people to leave, Ron had eaten one too many chocolate frogs and had to sit for a while longer and then….Hermione gasped. "Malfoy - she was with Malfoy after the game!"

Anger took human form in Harry Potter as he hustled up to his dormitory, unlocked his trunk and pulled out an item which was well hidden all the way in the bottom, since he nearly removed all of the trunk's contents to reach it. He stormed downstairs and threw the cloak over Hermione and Ron.

"We're going to find Malfoy. Luna, get back to your common room." He instructed his baffled friends.

Luna seemed hesitant, but found no other choice when Ginny grabbed her arm gently and lead her to portrait. "Can I come?" Ginny asked as she watched the blonde skip away.

"No Ginny, stay here." Ron threatened under the cloak. Fred and George stood on opposite side of their sister and watched them disappear.

"I knew Malfoy was behind it. He always is isn't he?" Malfoy always struck a nerve for Harry, bringing the worst out of his temperament.

Hermione and Ron walked silently as Harry continued to mumble under his breath. They approached a landing of the wide staircase and saw Malfoy running downstairs ahead of them. They quickened their pace and Harry slid the cloak off, careful to keep his friends under it.

"Where is she Malfoy?" Harry hissed.

Draco ignored him and continued to walk down the stairs. Harry had trouble catching up with his enemy's long strides but finally reached close enough to pull his shoulder back. "Don't you dare touch me Potter." Malfoy sneered.

"Answer me." Harry said.

Malfoy rolled his eyes at the sudden nuisance. He too was on his way to find her when he had ventured over to the Infirmary and saw that no patient by the name of Silver Crouch had been checked in. "Umbridge left her in the Slytherin changing room."

"Why?" Harry asked very suspiciously.

"I don't know why Potter." Malfoy was becoming annoyed.

The doors were locked tight. Silver had resorted to using her own body to push against the large, not easily broken, doors when she realized there was no other way to get out of the room. Her wand was nowhere to be found. She didn't even remember whether she had had it with her or not. The side of her arm was throbbing in pain after so many failed attempts at knocking the door open.

"Alohamora." She heard someone chant and then the sound of a lock clicking open.

Hermione Granger burst through the doors, searching the room when she landed on the figure on the floor. She scurried off after her, locking her into a tight embrace looking like an over concerned mother.

"You've been gone for hours!" she scolded.

Silver moaned. "Ouch Hermione that hurts." The girl had been gripping her shoulders a little too roughly. Hermione let go but kept her gaze on her, demanding answers. Harry and Ron sat on opposite sides of her and expressed their worry as well, but unlike Hermione, they were pushing the blame on Malfoy.

"it wasn't his fault Harry." Silver retaliated.

"You just need some time to come around, then you'll realize it was." Harry couldn't have said it better himself, he thought, although he hadn't been the one to say it. Malfoy emerged standing from behind the slumped group, a shot of remorse in his cold eyes.

Silver ignored something Harry said and stood slowly, advancing towards him. He stretched his hands out so she could steady herself. "I should've stayed to make sure you were alright…." He was planning on continuing but stopped when Silver threw her arms around his waist. Hermione gasped, which then Harry and Ron echoed closely behind. Not only did Malfoy return her embrace, which was enough to leave them in a state of disbelief for years, but he began to gently stroke her hair in a way someone (with a human soul) would when they were trying to comfort someone.

I'm sorry I couldn't give you all previews :(
I've been feeling a bit under the weather and work has been hectic. And to top it all off, classes commence tomorrow - which I'm definitely not thrilled about.
But I'll try to send out an update as soon as I can.
Things are going to get a lot more interesting from here on in, no dull chapters anytime soon. And they are all leading up to a BIG one, which I already have written out but just need to find some chapters to place in between.

I hope you guys are enjoying the Silver/Draco connection. I think this chapter was a pretty big milestone with them discovering their feelings for each other.
Tell me what you think!
Review, Review, Review!!! :))