Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. But I would like to say that I love cows. One day I will have my very own cow! GO COWS!

Fixed!

Freakishly small I know, but I wanted to get this up today so I can work on the next chapter when they go home for Christmas.

Hope you like it,

Chapter 8

Draco POV

Getting through the rest of the day was difficult. All I wanted to do was go find Ginny and take back everything I said. To comfort her and make the pain leave her eyes, sew up her broken heart. I wanted to tell her that I meant none of that and would do anything to make it up to her. I wanted to feel her small hand hold mine and hear her tell me she forgave me and that everything would be fine. I wanted to feel her soft lips moving with my own.

Sadly, though, I knew I couldn't do that. This was the only way to keep her safe. If she were with me there would always be the risk she would get hurt. Every time I thought of that my stomach twisted into uncomfortable knots. I wasn't really sure why I kept feeling all of these emotions. I wasn't used to it.

The day passed slowly. Finally, though, I made my way back to my dormitory and closed the door, alone at last. Only when the door was shut and locked did I let myself slump against the wall. How could this be happening? On top of all of the stress from my task, I now had this.

I walked to my bed and let myself fall. Why me? I didn't want to sound conceited but honestly. Why me? I sighed and closed my eyes. Then someone started banging on the door. "Let me in! It isn't just your room!" I sighed when I recognized Blaise's voice.

I flicked my wand and the door sprang open. "What, Blaise?" I asked, not even caring that I sounded just how I felt, dejected.

"Now you know how she felt," he said in a matter-of-fact voice as he sat down next to me.

"What do you mean?" I asked in a dead voice. I wasn't going to play his games. I was too overloaded with emotions right now.

Seeming to understand, he didn't beat around the bush. "You hurt her really bad," he said simply.

"Don't remind me," I sighed as I rolled over and buried my face in my pillow. I didn't want to think about that. I didn't want to see in my mind the look of pain flash across her face. Or when she ran out of the room in tears. I hated doing that. I didn't want to relive it.

"So you regret it?" he asked gently.

I sat up and looked at him. "I'm not sure," I said, thinking. "Yes, I hated that I hurt her and I wish more than anything I could take it back, but it's easier this way. She won't be pulled into danger." I sighed and shook my head. I really didn't know what to do. Logically, this was the right thing to do. But what I wanted to do had no logic.

"What do you want to do?" he asked now, still gently.

"Well, I'm not sure. Logically I shouldn't even like her in the first place," I sighed exasperatedly.

"Well you do and that's not changing anytime soon," he said with a roll of his eyes, urging me to continue.

"I bet she hates me now," I said quietly. I let my head fall in shame. Why did I have to hurt her?

"Wouldn't count that card just yet if I were you," he said with a smile.

"What do you mean? You weren't there. You didn't see the look on her face as she ran crying from the room," I said, angry with myself for doing that to her.

"Yeah, that is true, but I did see her after she ran off and was crying in the hallway," he said as he glanced over to see my reaction.

I was shocked but managed to ask, "What did you do?"

He shrugged and said, "Comforted her, of course. She was surprised to see me, to say the least, but she accepted much-needed comfort."

I just stared at him. Again, I felt a flash of some emotion at the though of Blaise hugging Ginny, comforting her. It should have been me to hold her.

"And that would be jealousy, my friend," he said, patting my shoulder.

I ignored him and asked stiffly, "What did you tell her? What did you say to her?"

He sighed and said, "The truth." When I gave him a look telling him to explain, he continued. "I told her that what you showed her today wasn't the real you, that the person you had been around her the past few weeks was. That you didn't mean any of what you did or said today. That you were only doing this to protect her. I told her that if she were with you then she would run the risk of getting hurt or killed. I told her being with you wouldn't be easy, but worth it. Because if you truly like someone, the benefits far outweigh the risks."

I looked at him in shock. "You told her all of that?" I asked, not over the shock.

"Yes, and I suggest you mull over those words during your Christmas Holiday. The benefits will always far outweigh the risks," he repeated himself. Then, without another word, he got up and left.

Sorry again for the shortness. I hope that the fact I updated twice in one day will make up for this crappy little filler chapter. If you like it, tell me and let me know it isn't as bad as I think lol.

A happy author writes better and faster! So review and make me happy and you will get PIE!