Restless

A month passed, and Silver stood by her word loyally. As days passed, Draco grew more irritable and frustrated and, through strained efforts, found the ability to remain needlessly stationary throughout the duration of classes – classes he was already convinced were nonessential and redundant.

He had had the first sign of success when his experimental apple disappeared from the vanishing cabinet and returned half-bitten, although, he was unsure of how victorious he really felt. This victory meant he was one step closer to the fulfillment of his plan, and with the aforementioned he would carry out the deed so wrongfully entrusted to him.

Harry's only mission in life had seemed to become involved in discovering Draco's whereabouts, and became dangerously close once if it weren't for Neville Longbottom running by due to a spell gone wrong. That was a close call, so from that day on Draco forced either Crabbe or Goyle to accompany him and serve as look-outs. Of course, it would've been far too obvious for them to stand as themselves, and so Draco made them seek out the DNA of first years he could make a polyjuice potion of.

Goyle whined at the sight of himself upon seeing he had turned himself into a 12-year old girl, but Crabbe found it very amusing. Indifferent to their circumstances, Draco continued on to finishing his business as Goyle stood outside.

Downstairs the atmosphere was quite different, Ginny and Dean were sitting by the fountain in the courtyard being as the snow had stopped for a few days already and sun was peeking through the bits of cloudy sky; Luna was exploring the grounds in search of the ear of a Crumple-Horned Snorcack and Silver, now beginning to regret her decision, obliged to accompany her; Harry was just as anxious as you usually found him, still trying to decode Draco's actions, whereas Hermione had grown rather worried about him – in all honestly, with her not talking to Ron because of Lavender, she hadn't much else to do than think about Harry.

"Is that it?" said Silver for the fifth time that afternoon.

Luna hopped over, bending towards the ground, and examined the round object, "No, no." she shook her head, "it's rounder than that, and there's an antennae coming out of it."

Silver blinked, watching Luna as she nimbly walked closer to the dense shrubbery ahead, "Luna, we aren't supposed to go into the Forbidden Forest."

"But I'm sure the snorcack doesn't know that."

Silver had to smile, but withdrew it immediately, "Probably not, but I still think it isn't a very smart idea to go in there without a professor."

Luna pouted, dismayed by her robbed opportunity, "What about Anthony? Does he count?"

Silver raised a speculative brow, "What? no, he isn't –"

"Hello there, Anthony."

Silver jumped, turned around and nearly tripped over a raised tree root.

"Hello girls." He smiled, "What are you doing so far off into the grounds?"

"Well we're actually hunting for the ea—"

"We're just going for a quick run." interrupted Silver, wishing she could've in fact been taken into the forbidden forest.

"Ah." said Anthony, looking between Silver and Luna, "Well, I've been looking for you Silver, but whenever I've come close, you've either just left or been busy with homework."

Admittedly, Silver had only feigned being hard at work when Anthony was around, and whenever she noticed his prospecting appearance beforehand, she was guilty of purposely leaving. "Have I? Well, you know, with final exams coming up….there's just so much to do."

He dug his hands into his pockets, "Of course, yeah."

"How's everything then?"

"Alright. You?"

"It's great."

It would've been quiet, were it not for the wind blowing past them. Snow that once piled on the ground, nearly reaching a person's knees, had melted down to only covering the tip of Silver's boots. Luna daintily pranced over a puddle of muddy water on the ground, a delicate smile on her pale face. Admist the pure whiteness of the outside, Luna seemed rather angelic – her long blonde hair barely serving as contrast to her equally pale skin, matching the snow. Silver smiled a small smile at Luna and Anthony, the latter seeming uncomfortable with the silence. Looking off into the tip top of a sloped hillside that would lead back to the castle, Silver noticed a figure trudging down towards her, and for a moment, she felt as if her heart had plummeted from atop a skyscraper.

"What're you doing out here?" asked Draco as he finally managed to reach the end of the slippery hill, his face evidence that he was quite ill at ease - leaving her to already guess it had something to do with his mission.

Draco's appearance made Anthony feel a bit nervous, obvious in the way he shifted his body from one leg to the other.

"Oh..we were just exercising."

Draco knitted his pale eyebrows, "exercising?" he asked, almost forgetting Anthony was there.

"Yes."

He stood directly in front of her, "I have to ask you something."

"Draco, you don't happen to have ever crossed the ear of a Crumple-horned snorcack?" said Luna from beside him.

Draco, looking terribly confused, shook his head as if to shake off her question, "No."

"What do you need to ask me?" asked Silver quickly.

Draco looked behind him at Anthony and then at Luna before he grabbed her hand, "Come with me?"

She obliged, letting him pull her away. They walked slowly through the snow, careful not to fall and when Silver found herself on the precipice of a large puddle, Draco wordlessly took her hand, keeping a firm grip on the crook of her elbow until she was safely on the other side. She looked at him, and he was already looking at her, his face tortured – as if he were on the frontlines of an internal battle with himself, but it subsided to blankness immediately. Once they were far enough looked down at her, still holding her hand. "Has your brother told you anything about me?"

She didn't answer at first, thoughtfully perusing his question in her head. "No, he hasn't." she lied.

He searched her face, looking into her green eyes, and nodded. She had become quite skilled in lying lately, especially when it came to matters between Harry and Draco – almost as if she were tiptoeing between enemy lines.

He let go of her hand, leaving it to fall limply at her side, "Why?" she asked.

"I think he might've seen something that could discover me."

She had heard Harry talking to Mr. Weasley back at Lupin's house about a vanishing cabinet he had found, and how it held the prospect of being linked to Draco.

"What is it he saw?"

"Something I'm…dawdling with."

She nodded in understanding, "Well, no, he hasn't mentioned anything."

xxx

"I can't believe I have to wear this bloody thing." Ron scowled, taking a silver chain from around his neck and hiding it under his sweater.

"I can't believe she gave you that bloody thing." said Harry jeering.

Lavender had given Ron a necklace for Christmas – he wasn't very fond of it.

"Won-won!" cried an all-too-familiar voice, making Ron cringe a bit.

"Hey Lav." He tried to say as she jumped on him, nearly tackling him to the ground.

Harry was about to leave when Hermione came walking past, catching sight of Lavender and Ron and turning around. Harry chased after her until he was finally in step with her, noticing that her expression wasn't that of irritation, but that of hurt. Harry instantly felt helpless, for her was unable to help her.

"Hermione?"

In a daze, she looked up at him with mild surprise, "Harry...I didn't notice you were there.." she trailed off with a small smile.

"Did you hear about Won-Won's new necklace?" laughed Harry, "It's an outlandishly large gold heart with the words 'My Sweetheart' engraved."

Hermione giggled, trying to not find it too funny for the sake of pretending she didn't care. "Rubbish!"

"I wish it were." laughed Harry again.

"Does he really like that?"

"No, I think he hates it actually. He wont tell her, but I'm sure the expression on his face says it all."

Hermione smiled, finding the scenario of them splitting up soon quite comforting. She was then distracted by another ginger running past. Ginny was curled into the gaggle of students lingering in the corridors, her hair, along with the rest of the Weasley's, was an unusually bright shade of ginger – making it a rather easy task to tell her apart from the rest of the school. Hermione stopped walking, mainlining her gaze on her so as to catch her attention when she looked up. The youngest Weasley grew closer to where Hermione and Harry stood….and walked right past them. Hermione noticed she was concentrated on her feet, and although she did well at hiding her face, Hermione caught a glimpse of her tear-stained cheeks.

"Was that Ginny?" asked Harry, sobering up immediately as his eyes followed her.

Hermione nodded sadly, sighed, and decided, "It seems like her and Dean have been fighting again."

"Fighting?" echoed Harry in concern, speaking a bit louder than before because Hermione had already begun walking again.

"They've been shotty lately…always arguing about something."

Harry finally reached beside her, placing his hand on her shoulder and pulling down so she would stop. "She's told you?"

Hermione studied his reaction with bemusement as she stopped to look at him, "Yes, but I'm sure Silver knows more about it…" she said, parting her lips and sighing, "she usually tells her everything." The idea didn't sit well with Hermione. Not because she disliked Silver, or due to the fact that Ginny and Silver had become much closer than they had ever been, but it was really because she had never quite been able to maintain solid friendships with girls. Her competitive nature and stubbornness to always be right always seemed to give Ginny a bit of edge when they were together. It was something that a laid-back personality, such as Silver's and Ginny's, never really understood. Indeed, the three of them remained close, but Hermione most recently continued to find herself secluded from the group. It seemed as if Silver and Ginny had private manners to discuss and found her unworthy to hear of them.

Silver's break after lunch period had come to an end, and it wasn't until later that afternoon that Silver felt her first surge of happiness - the first time she had felt as if it was alright to smile again. Professor Flitwick stood on a stool centered before the classroom, settling down the class and just about to begin his lesson when it happened. Silver, along with a greater portion of the class, turned their heads at the sound of the door opening. A series of gasps erupted from those closest to the door, and even Professor Flitwick allowed himself a surreptitious squeal of delight.

Blake had finally set foot on the solid grounds of her school, feeling nostalgic of the long-awaited moment she would finally be freed from hospital. She carried her bag off her shoulder, smirking lightly at the attention and walked further into the class, as if she were savoring every second. The reconnaissance of the place was soon interrupted when Silver and Dominic interrupted the appreciative silence of the classroom and swung their arms around her, tightly hugging her. Suddenly feeling overwhelmed with emotions, Blake's topaz eyes blurred with tears as she grinned with the sincerest smile she had ever felt. Before long, the remaining five Ravenclaws of the classroom did the same, each welcoming her back and wishing her well.

Blake looked around excitedly, tears sparsely coating her cheeks.

Dominic, unable to take his eyes off her since the moment she entered, reached to wipe them away, "You're back…and you're alright."

Blake smiled and grabbed his hand, "I am."

"We're very glad to have you back Ms. Trench." said Professor Flitwick, who couldn't help but feel a bit giddy himself.

Dominic took her book from her hand, carrying it for her until he set it down for her on the table where he and Silver presently sat. The class had settled down, although, some were still anxiously whispering to the other about her return. No doubt the news of her arrival would be carried to the whole school within the next hour.

There were a few unfazed by her return. Pansy, Blaise, and Millicent were a proud part of that few.

"Professor Flitwick," Pansy said as she raised her arm in the air, lacking the patience to await his permission to speak, "I do believe we should be returning to the lesson, don't you?"

The small man turned to look at her, trying his best to conceal his irritation , "Yes, Mrs. Parkinson, but it is a rather special occasion –"

"Our education is of far greater importance..or at least, I can pry for my father's opinion on the matter."

"Oh, shut up Parkinson." cried Silver suddenly, peeved beyond belief.

Pansy narrowed her eyes dangerously after getting past the initial shock of having someone counter-argue.

"Oh I have a few choice words for you Po-"

"That's enough!" mediated Professor Flitwick, shouting above the quarreling girls, "Now back to the lesson – as I was saying.."

Although wishing Flitwick hadn't intervened, for she had a few choice words for Pansy as well, Silver settled down, glaring at her darkly from her seat and finding that fulfilling enough, for now at least. She almost wished she hadn't looked over; Draco wasn't in class…again; they'd separated only a half hour ago. Trying to ignore an uneasy feeling in the very bottom of her stomach, Silver redirected her attention to Flitwick's lecture but found it increasingly difficult to concentrate.

It wasn't until later that night that Silver was forced out of her common room by the news of Ron being sent to the infirmary. Dominic had told her in the common room after having taken Blake to the hospital wing because she was feeling a bit dizzy.

"It's only nine o'clock. You've still got time to see what's going on." urged Dominic.

Silver didn't need much convincing, she wanted to see if Ron was alright, so upon Dominic's blessing she ran to the hospital wing straightaway. There was a few lone students walking around, one of them Anthony who was patrolling the halls. She pretended to have not noticed him as he called after her yelling, "You! No running!" – not having recognized her.

Finally reaching the end of the hall, she turned left and carefully opened the doors to let herself squeeze in, hoping not to cause much of a disturbance. Ginny was sitting beside her brother as Harry and Hermione booth stood facing the door. Dumbledore was there as well, along with Professor Slughorn and Snape.

Silver delicately traipsed over to them, first noticing Ron's sleeping figure before proceeding to ask how he was.

"It seems that Mr. Weasley had mistakenly drank poisoned mead, Ms. Potter." answered Dumbledore.

"Poisoned mead?" she echoed in outraged speculation.

"I took him to Professor Slughorn after he ate a box of chocolates with a strong love potion –" Harry began to explain.

"—which I had already warned Harry that Romilda Vane was brewing for him –" Hermione cut in.

"—and he gave him something to wash it down with, and it turned out it was poisoned."

Silver gasped, "Is he going to be alright?"

"Mr. Weasley's future looks bright, what with such a caring lot of friends, who wouldn't be pushed further to live?" smiled Dumbledore before he suddenly grew serious, "Now Horace, you said you'd attained this in hopes of a gift for someone, correct?"

"Yes, Headmaster." cowered Slughorn, looking terribly ashamed.

"And to whom, dare I ask, was it intended?"

Slughorn looked down, feeling slightly more pathetic than he did before, "For you…Headmaster."

The room grew silent, and although you'd imagine Dumbledore to grow weary of the man before him, there wasn't an ounce of dislike apparent in the Headmaster.

Suddenly, the doors swung open and Lavender Brown clumsily stumbled across the stretch of floor and between the teachers. "What's happened to my Won-Won?" she asked frantically, reaching the foot of his bed and nearly pushing Silver out of the way.

"Ron is alright, you can calm down Lavender." said Hermione pointedly.

"Oh, don't go off pretending like you're friends now." began a distressed Lavender, "You haven't spoken in weeks!"

"Yes, because of you!" Hermione screeched, nearly regretting her unexpected frankness. Harry looked up at her in surprise.

"Well gentleman, I believe it is time for us to take our leave. Severus, would you.." Dumbledore's voice began to trail off as they reached farther from the group and out the door.

Lavender reddened, "You're only here because you all of a sudden think he's interesting for being poisoned!"

"You're mad! Ron's my friend, and he's sick –"

"Well, Ron's my boyfriend, and I would like some time alone with him." demanded Lavender.

Silver, standing right beside her, stared at her in disbelief. "We're not leaving!"

Lavender looked at her firmly but said nothing, until a small sound broke the silence.

"er-mi-ne." mumbled Ron incoherently.

Silver could hardly believe her ears, had he just said what she thought he had?

"mione." He said again.

Lavender was breathing hard, nearly panting.

"ermione."

Silver grinned, glancing at Hermione who appeared to feel a mix of disbelief and utter bliss.

"He can't be serious." scowled Lavender.

"I think he is." said Ginny, finally glad to be rid of the girl.

"You heard him then." added Silver, "he only wishes to see Hermione, so you can trot off now."

Lavender groaned in defeat and nearly ran out of the place. Hermione smiled, only having eyes for the ginger lying peacefully on the bed.

Ginny stood, taking Silver's arm and motioning her out of the room with a knowing smile. Silver reached out to get Harry, but saw him raising his eyebrows and smiling at Hermione, who retorted with a sheepish grin as she put her hands over Rons and sat on the edge of his bed.

Once they were outside, Silver and Ginny began to giggle uncontrollably; even Harry laughed a bit here and there until Peeves flew over them with a bag of sausages and began to shoot at them, demanding they get ready for war. Finding cover in the Great Hall, the three of them walked inside and sat on the Gryffindor table. Silver took a moment to notice how odd it felt sitting there - all the way on the other side of the room from her very own table.

"So..Romilda Vane was brewing a love potion for you.." laughed Ginny.

Harry grew serious for a second, before letting out a small laugh, "I know…it's embarrassing."

Ginny met his green eyes and smiled, suddenly beginning to feel a flurry of butterflies swarming her stomach, unknowing Harry was feeling the same.

"How's Dean?"

She averted her eyes, not expecting to have Harry ask about her boyfriend. "He's alright, I suppose."

"I like Dean," began Silver, "but I don't feel like he's the one you're meant to be with." Her eyes lingered over Harry, and then at Ginny.

Harry blushed, "I suppose it's somewhat true..but just because we're still young and there's lots of other people out there.."

"Some closer than you think." added Silver.

Ginny cursorily glanced at her, "Maybe."

The previous spoken words swam in Silver's head for several seconds. He's the one you're meant to be with. There's lots of other people out there. Feeling as if she had fled from reality, Silver delved through her thoughts upon which revealed Draco's aching face. The same expression he wore this afternoon when he'd met her by the Forbidden Forest. She looked up at the endlessly high ceiling of the Hall. Thousands of floating candles mingled above her, a star-filled sky lining the crevices of the ceiling. For a small second, she remembered the constellation Draco had told her about when they were younger, the one he claimed was named after him. She laughed a little. Of course it wouldn't, the enchanted ceiling in Hogwarts wasn't nearly as large as the actual sky outside – there were bound to be lots of other constellations besides that particular one. And then she saw it, towards the east corner of the room was a series of stars, that, if connected would form a serpent-like dragon. Upon the warmth of nostalgia dawned the crash of her current situation, or rather, Draco's.

Deatheater.

She swallowed hard and shut her eyes, her head still tilted towards the ceiling – completely unaware Harry had finally noticed Silver was no longer with them.

"Silver?"

Silver looked at Ginny, who fashioned a preoccupied concern, "I'm sorry….I've got to go."

Harry looked at her oddly, "What's wrong?"

Already having stood from the wooden bench she spared him an answer, although she preferred he hadn't asked anything. "Too many things to explain." she said, realizing her voice sounded throaty and running out of the room.

A/N: I took sooo long! I know :( Thanks to HadleyConlon for yelling at me to hustle, hustle! (Her George/OC fanfic is great, in case anyone wants to check it out!)

I'll really try to update sooner! Hopefully, you all enjoyed the chapter (:
It would probably be good if you also reviewed and forced me to update !
Thank you all for your kind reviews, I love every one of them, really I do. It makes me ridiculously happy, as I've mentioned before (:

Oh - almost forgot. I did a small little something for Within Enemy Lines, it's mostly revolving around the tension between Silver, Draco, and Harry. Plus, the ending is a sneak peek into how the story's going to end. Tun tun tun! Hope you guys like it (: I'm definitely not an expert with movie-making software, but I tried my best. I hope it looks okay!

http :/ / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v = B S 1 P n s u j g O g