A/N: Just wanted to say thanks to SwtTxnQt for the favorite. I've been getting a little discouraged with the response on this one, so it made my day. :-) Hope you enjoy- and don't worry; it's always darkest before dawn.

Update: I've changed just one line, to correct the time-line a bit. I'd previously ended this chapter with the impression that it was winter holidays; I've changed that to reflect that we haven't reached the holidays yet.

Chapter XXVI

Madison and Blaise had both been ordered to dress nicely. She arrived just in time at the Zabinis' home in Italy (where they'd be having dinner before going back to his family's primary home). He was waiting at the fireplace to greet her.

She'd been separated from Draco since early that morning, when she'd sneaked back to her room, and she'd felt separate from her own body ever since. Seeing Blaise, and his knowing expression, she felt as if she'd crashed back into her own body and started to implode.

He must know. Couldn't they all know just by looking at her? She felt her chin quiver minutely and then he was wrapping his arms around her.

"I'm sorry, Madison. I am. I didn't ask for this."

She snuggled into his chest, letting his warmth soak into her.

"Me too."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for."

"It's my fault. It's because I got in trouble. You wouldn't have to marry me if I hadn't been so stupid."

"Stop that. It wasn't just that. Anyway . . . I was always his back-up plan."

Madison pulled away slightly to look up at Blaise. "What do you mean?"

"It's why we were allowed to know about you. I was the back-up plan, in case the Malfoys fucked up. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Draco didn't think-"

"Draco knew about this?"

"It's what I had to tell him. Do you remember? Around the time we first we met."

"I remember. I always thought perhaps you were in love with him."

He sent her a half-smile. "Maybe I am."

She giggled and hugged him again. "I'm glad it's you. If it can't be Draco, I mean."

He held her tighter and kissed the top of her head. Then he pulled away, taking her hand and leading her into the dining room.

"Dinner, my love," he said with a flourish, making her giggle again, and then he held out a chair for her to sit down.

He sat down then and they began to eat, even though it was clear that neither of them were very hungry.

|\/|

Blaise's parents were warm, but fairly aloof, and he and Madison spent the weekend mostly alone. Spending time alone with Blaise was comfortable, as they'd grown to be very close, but Draco was always looming in their minds. She hadn't told Blaise about their last night together, either, and she just couldn't quite bring herself to do it.

They managed to get through the weekend without any mishaps, and he kissed her hand before sending her home.

It wasn't long before it was time for the boys to return to school and, again, Madison was thrown into a flurry of lessons. It became clear that she was not only to learn the sixth year curriculum this year, but also the seventh, in an attempt to let her focus on other things during her seventh year.

Like leading her brother straight to his doom, and marrying the best friend of the boy she loved.

Madison was ill much of the time, with no comfort but the little that Libby could give her, and she was still not allowed to owl Draco. She could write Blaise, and if she hadn't known they would read her letters, she'd have written him, and to Draco through him. As it was, she chose not to write him at all, and the Malfoys had become so constantly stressed and out of sorts, they didn't force her. They did force her to keep writing to Harry, but their letters had become stilted and full of things they couldn't say.

Madison was beginning to think she'd never let go of Draco when she finally got to see him, which wouldn't be until the school year was over. She wrote letters to him and Harry, and even Blaise, in her journal, ones that she knew she'd never be able to send. They helped, though.

Dear Harry,

I'm your sister – really, it's true! I want to help you, because my father is not my father. He's evil and horrible, and I really hope someone kills him before he makes me help him kill you.

Your father is my father. And your green eyes are my green eyes.

Please don't write me.

Please write me.

Stay away from me.

Take me away.

I love you,

Madison

Dear Blaise,

I love you, but I'm not in love wth you.

It's not you, it's me.

Hold me forever.

Let's all run away together.

Help me.

Love,

Madison

Dear Draco,

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Let's run away together.

Let's run away together and take Blaise, and go see Harry and Sirius.

I think something's wrong with me.

Help me.

Love,

Madison