The feather-light cloth was cool against Ginny's skin. She tried not to be distracted by how much the cloak smelled like Harry. She missed him dearly. They hadn't seen each other since a few weeks before she'd returned to Hogwarts, since he'd had to leave for Auror training.

She found her mind wandering as the evening stretched on, numbingly dull. The evening was too quiet. Nobody was in the mood for trouble, so the halls had been clear since she had taken up her hidden post around 10pm. She was glad to let Hermione have the time to research, but she was afraid she would fall asleep.

The slip of a foot against the floor startled Ginny. She had started to drift off for a moment. At last, however, someone had emerged from the Hufflepuff portrait. Nina Goshawk was dressed in boyish clothes, and her long dark hair was pulled up under a cap. She was clearly meant to be disguised, though her sweet face was still obviously feminine. Her eyes, though, made Ginny want to shudder. She looked like a body without a soul, and it made Ginny wonder if that's what she looked like when she had been controlled all those years ago.

Nina checked the corridor slowly, like she was scanning for anything out of the ordinary. Ginny would have to be careful. Perhaps she and Hermione had made a mistake by confronting the girl head on. She silently cursed herself for acting so foolishly. Ginny kept several paces behind as Nina began to head down the familiar path, but not the one Ginny had expected. As they got farther and farther from the Hospital Wing, Ginny felt herself feeling less confident about what was happening. Where would Nina be going if it wasn't after Malfoy?

Staircases lead downward and downward, and when the cold air of the dungeons began to tickle her ankles, Ginny began to feel a foreboding prickle against her neck. They were headed towards the Slytherin common room. Was Nina planning to go after someone else? Ginny couldn't think of anyone who still had Death Eater ties. Other than Malfoy,there were none who had chosen to return for a repeat year. Many were able to enter family careers, or were not willing to return because the pain was still too fresh and close.

Nina's abrupt stop caught Ginny off guard, and she scrambled to stop before getting too close. Ducking around the corner, she hoped that the pounding of her heart was just in her own ears.

"Oh Nina, you're going to get yourself in trouble. Can't even school your face, can you?" Cold and female, Ginny couldn't identify the voice that spoke. "That Granger girl thinks you're trying to kill Draco. She's going to tell the Headmistress, and you'll have lost your cousin and your spot at this school. Your family will be even more of a disgrace."

Nina sobbed, and Ginny couldn't hear the whispered words that tumbled from her lips.

"Oh don't start that. I didn't remove the spell for you to cry about what you want, or what happened. Draco is still alive. That's not what I asked you to do. Did you cast the spell wrong, or is it just the interference of Granger and that disgusting Thing from Ravenclaw? My mother will not be pleased if she finds out he is still alive and walking around the castle like his family didn't sell everyone over to the Aurors for their own breath of fresh air."

Ginny tried to move closer, to get a glimpse of who was speaking, but as she neared the corner she could hear someone approaching from behind.

"Ladies, it's past curfew. Trade your homework notes and get back to bed." It was a prefect on rounds.

"Yes Jasper, sorry! Our potions essays are due tomorrow, so we'll be sure to stop meeting like this." The voice was sickly sweet, and Ginny couldn't help but think of a cat. The prefect must have taken her at her word, because he didn't stick around to see that his words were heeded. As he passed back the other direction, Ginny studied his face.

"You spineless idiot. Keep Granger off your trail, and make sure to finish the job. Your cousin deserves it, doesn't he?"

"The curse was done right. I just wish you had used someone else…" Nina spoke, her words hardened. "Collin didn't deserve to die, but I'm not sure Malfoy does ei-"

"All the Malfoy rats deserve to rot. They are slime. You and I may not be on the same side, but we both benefit here. Don't lose yourself now. Or you'll take all the blame. You asked for a way to get revenge, don't forget that."

"I was upset, but this is not what I wanted!" Nina almost yelled the words. A smack sounded through the hall. The stark sound made Ginny jump.

"Pull yourself together. Get out of here. I don't want to see you again. Your part in this is over."

Nina ran from the dungeons without another word. Ginny could see the tears streaming from her reddened eyes as she ran by. Before Ginny could get a good look, the other girl had already returned to the dungeon common room.

"Well doesn't this just beat all?" Ginny whispered to herself. Her thoughts were scattered as she began the journey to the Head Dorm to fill Hermione in on all she had heard.
-0-0-0-

The knock at her door startled Hermione awake. She didn't know when she had drifted off, but she had been asleep long enough that there was a small bit of moisture on the book that had served so faithfully as her pillow. She pushed her hair back from her face, wiped her mouth, and stood from her study table with a stretch.

"Ginny, what's happened?" The red-head flew through the door as soon as it was opened. She looked upset.

"You were right, Nina is being controlled and blackmailed. I couldn't see who it was, but it's someone in Slytherin. They want Malfoy dead, and they're going to get Nina to try to finish the job!" The words rushed from Ginny, and she fought to catch her breath.

"Well, he should be fine. McGonagall still has him being constantly watched. Someone is always attending him. In fact, I think I've got a shift tomorrow evening while I read." Hermione stifled a yawn, though her guilt over falling asleep in the first place was quickly waking her up.

"But that's exactly it, Hermione. It's not always an adult looking after him, right? Sometimes it's Jo! Whoever it was doesn't have kind feelings for her."

Hermione wasn't sure what to say. She trusted that McGonagall had a plan to keep him safe, but years of being friends with Harry left her unsure that the adults were always on top of what was happening within the walls of Hogwarts.

"Oh yeah, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. Ginny looked at her quizzically. "Harry can talk to the Aurors and tell them what you've learned. I don't know that McGonagall will like it, but it might be helpful to have one of them stationed at the school."

"I mean, that would make sense. I will let him know. And you can talk to her about it." Ginny agreed.

"And I will go check on Jo before I turn in for the night," Hermione said. She grabbed her sweater and pulled it on, gripping the edges of her sleeves in nervousness. "It'll be fine, I am sure, but I agree that she's young to be left alone." Hermione nodded, not sure if she was reassuring Ginny or herself.

"Alright, do you want me to leave you the cloak?" Ginny asked, holding out the silvery garment.

"I should be alright. I am Head Girl, after all. And you shouldn't be caught wandering around without it." Hermione said, though she could feel the tick of anxiety in her throat as she watched Ginny nod and throw the cloak back around her shoulders and head back out into the night.

"You're going to be alright, Hermione. You've been through more than this." She reminded herself and followed her friend out into the dark hall.
-0-0-0-

The Hospital Wing was strangely quiet when Hermione arrived. The lights were low, and she could hear the quiet breathing of an over-nighter who was sleeping peacefully. It was not Draco, but rather some younger boy who looked to have been inflicted with a rather nasty pimple jinx. Hermione tried not to panic, as she approached a door that had light still glinting wanly from the lower gapping.

"Hermione! I almost jumped out of my skin, you scared me so much!" Jo quickly pulled her button up shirt back on over her tank top. "I was trying to keep my sleeves from getting wet, before you get any ideas!" She covered nervously, but Hermione had already seen her flat frame.

"It's fine, Jo. You don't have to apologize." Hermione reassured the Ravenclaw gently. "Or hide…" She said, closing the door behind her.

Jo nodded, her face a mess of indecision and fear, but she turned away without touching the subject further.

"I am glad you're here though. I've cast the ice jinx so many times that my arms feel like they're going to give out. We're keeping him in a tub of lukewarm water, but he just warms it up so fast. I feel like I'm bringing it back down every half hour or so. Madame Pomfrey takes most of the day, and I think one other person, but we're all a bit peaky I think." Jo's words tumbled out as she gestured to the dozing Malfoy in a metal wash tub. Hermione could see the last bits of ice melting quickly away.

"I'm so sorry, Jo. And I'm sure you've got plenty of work to be doing. Do you want me to take a shift so you can go back to the Common Room?"

Jo flinched. "I don't…" She paused, and it dawned on Hermione that she was touching on another hurtful subject.

"Oh, that's alright. Do you want me to take a shift so you can rest?" Hermione amended quickly.

"That would be nice, honestly. I'm behind on homework, but if I don't even read then…" Her words were cut off by a yawn that suggested reading would be a short-lived endeavor. "Have you found a cure for him yet? Because I'm not sure how much longer we can fight this. It's getting harder...He may have to go to St. Mungos soon…"

Hermione shook her head slowly. "We have a lead, but not an answer. We think the Aurors are going to have to be involved...and maybe it wouldn't be the worst for him to go to…"

"No, Granger…" Draco said, startling both girls.

"No? What position are you in to say no?" Hermione said, scolding him with a hand over her heart.

"Someone's trying to kill me. If I go to St. Mungos, it'll be easier for them to finish the job. At least here...they have to get past…" He trailed off.

"McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey are busy with more than just you. Other adults can handle this situation, Malfoy!" Hermione argued. The corners of Draco's mouth turned up in a slight smile.

"That's why I'm counting on you to keep me safe." He said.
-0-0-0-

Author's Note: As promised - another update fast on the heels of the previous one! I have some ideas bouncing around in my head. I even got up early, I was so motivated to do some writing for you all.

Thank you for your support, your kind words, and your guesses about what will happen next! They are all very motivating, and it makes me want to be better for all of you. Which, incidentally, is my favorite thing about writing fanfiction in general!