Disclaimer: Not my stuff, ain't that true, don't make no money so don't you sue!!!!







Notes: Alright HUGE HUGE HUGE Thank you to Aerial for sending me that link! According to it my character was only a seven therefore no Mary Sue.YAHOO.....I worked too hard to have A Mary on my hands! Keep reading guys and thank you!

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Chapter 8- A Face From the Past Returns





"If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen." -Loretta Gierzatlis





It wasn't unusual to see people gathered in the common room, but when Krista entered she was taken back by the amount of people gathered around the fireplace. She could see a boy sitting in the center and everyone was chatting with him eagerly. He was defiantly older then most of them, and unless she was seeing things Hermione was sitting with him, his arm around her.

" Hey Neville," she inched up to the back of the crowd where Neville was standing," What's going on?"

" Oh that's right you never met Oliver. He left the school a few years ago, he came back for a visit. You should introduce yourself, he's a nice guy. " Neville turned back towards the group of people.

Krista stuck her arm in the air and waved to Hermione. She waved back and Krista with a puzzled look gave a hand gesture for her to come over. Hermione looked very frustrated but rose from her seat and made her way through the crowd of people.

" Of all the times you call me over..." she shook her head and laughed, " did you need something "

" Yes as a matter of fact, " Krista fixed the bag she had slung over her shoulder, " follow me up to the dormitory." Hermione rolled her eyes but followed Krista accordingly.

The dormitory was completely empty and Krista figured it was because of the Oliver kid in the common room. She threw her bag on the floor and sat down on her bed.

" Where were you for dinner?" Hermione asked before plopping down on her own bed.

" Studying for tomorrows potions quiz. "

" Krista, classes were canceled for the rest of the week" she smiled and held back the laughter that was forming inside of her.

" Well thanks for the update, " Krista sighed and moved her hair out of her face, " Hermione what is going on with that boy? What happened to Harry?" Krista arched her eyebrows as Hermione gave a look of disapproval.

" There is no more Harry. Ive decided that if he cant own up to his feelings then it's not worth my time, besides Oliver is older and mature. " She tossed her hair behind her back and stood from her bed.

" But what happened, Im sure there is a reason why Harry wont say anything" There was a long pause of silence. Hermione kicked a book that was lying on the floor and then finally sighed.

" Im not sure...its just that I cant stand to have my heart torn into pieces anymore...I just..." there was a crash at the window and both girls turned quickly. Hermione was the first to examine the scene and when Krista walked over to the window she looked down at the floor and screamed.





************





It was late when Madam Pomfrey allowed Ginny to return to the dormitory. Her head was still throbbing but she advised Ginny that it would subside in the morning.

' At least classes are canceled tomorrow ' she rubbed her head and continued down the halls. Her stomach was a bit unsteady, most likely because she had eaten absolutely nothing all day, but she wasn't in the mood to see Dobby or Winky. She turned the corner of the corridor and felt herself smack into something heavy. Her head exploded in pain but as she lifted her head her heart exploded as well.

" So Weasley, how are you feeling " Malfoy glared down at her with his dark stare.

" Draco Im not in the mood to mouth you with snappy comebacks so if you would just let me go " She tried to walk passed him but he blocked her body with his own.

" Come now Ginny, a lonely corridor, the perfect Draco Malfoy, Im sure your head is spinning with ideas." he smiled at her and brushed her hair away from her face.

" Draco....please not now...," she pulled her head away from his hand and closed her eyes. She didn't want to deal with this, not now. She wondered how it even started, how she got involved with Draco Malfoy, but the more she thought about it the more her head would spin. It wasn't as though they had planned it, in fact if anyone found out both would be doomed for the rest of their lives. Yet something inside of her yearned for him. Maybe it was the way his silvery blonde hair emphasized the color of his skin. It could be the fact that his eyes were deep with mystery, or that his body was far better then any she had even seen, but the more she tried to figure it all out the more she found herself lost in him.

" What are you thinking about Virginia?" his voice was soft and subtle not at all the usual Malfoy.

" I was thinking about how you tried to attack my brother today, and I took the hit and you still haven't apologized. " she opened her eyes and looked into his face.

" Draco Malfoy never apologizes. " his voice had become stern

" Ive noticed " she turned from him

" Your lucky I even let you touch me." she hated when he became angry, many times she found herself scared to be near him, but tonight was different she wasn't ready to be bullied around by anyone.

" Oh Well Im sorry then " she shot him a dirty look, " Im sick of you thinking that you're better than I am. You're not Malfoy, you're absolutely nothing. Whatever was going on between us is over. I will not allow you to suppress me any further. " She pushed past him hard and strode down the hall. He caught her fast and spun her around.

" Your lucky that I don't smack you to the ground " he said through seething teeth, " your lucky I have some kind of decency."

" You have no decency...your exactly like your father." he threw her up against the wall and his hands became tense around her wrists.

" I am nothing like my father." his eyes showed no emotion but Ginny could tell she struck a nerve that Malfoy had hid for many years. He tossed her arm aside and with thunderous noise walked down the corridor.

Ginny sunk against the wall and covered her face with her hands. She could feel the tears well in the corners of her eyes and before she knew it she was crying. She closed her eyes and thought back to the day that had brought her to this.

' It was last winter, if she remembered right, and she had gone for a walk down by the lake. Most of the students were home on Christmas vacation, but she had wanted to stay behind. There wasn't much to go home to. She remembered the snow falling softly to the ground and she remembered seeing the silhouette of a man at the edge of the forest. When she neared him she realized it was Malfoy. His face was the same as always, stern, rough and angry looking, but when she looked into his eyes she saw the same lost emotion that filled her. She didn't say anything to him, just placed her hand on his shoulder. When he smiled at her she remembered her body melting inside, Harry had never made her feel like that. For four hours they sat in the snow, not saying much, but more or less comforting each other. It had been the most memorable holiday she could remember. '



Now here she was slumped against the wall, shedding tears for her worst enemy. It wasn't supposed to be this way. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down. Everyone would be suspicious if she went back to the common room all flushed. She stood from the ground and looked down the vacant hallway.

' I don't understand you Draco Malfoy ' she turned on her heel and headed for Gryffindor tower.

Malfoy stepped out of the shadows and watched Ginny turn the corridor. He wanted to go back to her, but he knew it wasn't right. After all he was a Malfoy, and she was a Weasley. Then why did it pain him so much to see her cry?





*********



Harry's heart thumped quickly as he sprinted down the long corridor. From a distance he could see Malfoy leaning against the wall, but he could not be bothered with him. He knew that each second that passed was a second wasted. He ran faster down the hall, the sweat pouring heavily down his face. He knew that Dobby was telling the truth, unfortunately Dobby always told the truth. His heart raced with fear, unsure of what he would find in the dormitory, but he had to get to her, he could not let anything happen to Krista. ' Hermione's in that dorm as well ' The thought hit him harder and he began taking longer faster strides. Bounding the stairs three at a time, Harry yelled out an apology to a group of Hufflepuff girls who he accidentally knocked to the floor. He could see the portrait of the fat lady just ahead oh him and with all of his energy pushed himself even harder towards the door. " GUMDROP WHISKERS " he shouted and the picture swung open quickly. He raced through the crowd of people that were gathered in the common room unsure of why they were all gathered around the fireplace. He didn't care; he needed to get to Krista. He rushed up the steps, unsure of what he would find behind the door but as he neared it he heard Krista's piercing scream. He reached for his wand and threw open the door.

" I cant believe it......Hedwig?"

" Oh Harry! " Hermiones face was covered in tears and Krista had her face in her hands.

Harry looked down at the floor where Hedwig laid in a pool of blood. He dropped to his knees and scooped his friend up into his arms.

" How did this happen?" Harry's eyes were teary and his heart ached with pain.

" We were talking Harry and then Hedwig came crashing through the window..." Hermione's lip trembled a bit as she looked at the shattered glass askew on the floor.

" Hedwig needs to get to the infirmary " Harry stood and walked to the door, " Are you girls all right?"

" Were fine Harry, go take care of Hedwig" Krista wiped a few tears from her eyes and rose to her feet.

Harry looked at Hermione and she turned away quickly. He took a deep breath, he knew she would be upset with him. He couldn't blame her really; he was actually starting to hate himself. He dropped his eyes to Hedwig and continued out the door.

' Oh Hedwig, I know you will be all right ' he brushed the top of her head and then stopped his hand suddenly over her left wing. There was something tied to it. Slowly and carefully Harry lifted the tender wing and pulled out a piece of bloody parchment.



I ALWAYS WIN....





It was scribbled in blood and it made Harry sick to his stomach. He quickly shoved the note into his pocket and ran to the infirmary.





*******





It was late when Harry returned to the dormitory that night. The room was silent except for a few snores rising from Nevilles bed. He eased himself down onto his bed and rolled onto his stomach.

' These things shouldn't be happening...' he propped his head up on his pillow and sighed.

" Hedwig ok Harry?" Ron had rolled to his side and was now facing Harry.

" Yes Ron " he closed his eyes and thought about the drama that had started all over again. Krista was the first he thought of, it all began with her. There were other things to, the ministry, the death eaters, and the more he thought about it, everything summed up to one person.

' Malfoy...'

He opened his eyes and stared at the darkness surrounding him. Tomorrow he would confront Malfoy. He only hoped that the answers he was looking were not the wrong ones.







********







It was nice to sleep in late when it was possible. Hermione yawned and sat up in her bed. She was surprised to see that everyone in the dorm was already awake, but she figured that most of them were probably off gossiping. Krista's makeup case was on her bed, which most likely meant she was out with Ron, so Hermione strolled over and rummaged for some flattering shades of lipstick. After all she wanted to look her best when Oliver came by.

After showering and dressing in the right sort of attire she decided that the best color would be a winey red that gave off a glossy tint. It made her face light up, and she was sure it would drive Harry crazed with jealousy. She threw on a light green robe, and grabbed her bag before heading down to the common room. Her heart stopped when she saw him sitting there. Still flustered she could not believe that Oliver Wood had become so handsome.

" Good morning Oliver, ready for the practice?"

" Umm yes .....I think" his eyes darted up and down her body and she felt her face flush with color.

" Shall we then. " she grabbed his arm and looped hers underneath and together they sauntered to the pitch.

It was a bit breezy outside which made Hermione glad that she had put on the light robe. The clouds formed giant pictures and as she looked into the sky she felt free from everything that had been bothering her the past few days. She could see Harry up in the air, drilling the chasers harshly, and when she entered the pitch most of the team flew down to see Oliver. Harry was the last to land and when he saw Hermione on Oliver's arm his face fell into an infinite amount of pieces.

" Harry I see that the team is doing quite well" Oliver grinned and patted Harry on the back. Harry however remained silent. His mouth gapping open in a peculiar fashion. " Harry you alright?" Oliver asked

" Yes Umm Im fine Oliver thanks for coming, Parvati..." Harry yelled.

" Yes Harry? " she batted her eyelashes and walked over to him

" Would you mind running the rest of practice I don't feel very well. " he shot Hermione a look and she found herself feeling quite guilty.

" Sure Harry no problem" she threw her legs over her broom and kicked off into the air.

" It was good seeing you Oliver " Harry flicked his broom over his shoulder and left the pitch without once looking back at Hermione.

' Oh great now what have I done ' Hermione kicked the dirt and mentally bashed herself.

" Oliver...I cant stay, I have some work to do....um...in the library..." Hermione turned and left a very confused Oliver Wood standing in the Quidditch pitch.









***********





Ron held Krista's hand tightly as the strolled along down to Hagrids. It was nice to finally have some alone time and Krista couldn't help but keep a giant goofy grin plastered on her face. The air around them was noticeably colder and Krista realized that soon winter would be arriving. After all the trees were bare and there were an abundance of students wearing scarves.

' I can't wait for the holidays ' she thought, eyes gleaming with excitement.

" What are you so smiley about?" he pulled her closer and kissed her forehead.

" Just thinking about the holidays " she wrapped her arm around his waist and felt the urge to break into a fit of girly giggles.

" Oh.... Speaking of the holidays, my mum wants to meet you. She wants you to join us on our Christmas holiday. " He kept his head straight, not bothering to look at the amount of glee on her face.

" Meet your family, Oh Ron, " she stopped and turned to him, " I would love to...do you think they will like me? What kind of present should I get them? Do they like muggles? Well of course they do, they do like Hermione. But what about Americans? Do they have anything against people from America?..."

Ron's face dropped completely to the floor. Everything that was leaving her mouth swirled together to create a tremendous racket inside of his head. He didn't think it was possible for people to hold their breath for so long, but Krista had just proven that she could go for a good five minutes without taking a breath. He stared at her, watching her mouth move up and down and open and shut, and finally when he felt his ears were going to explode he clamped his hand hard over her mouth.

" Krista, Im sure my parents will adore you, now if you don't mind I think my ears are bleeding." He slowly pulled his hand away from her mouth and she laughed. She tugged at his hand and soon enough they were walking again, Krista in a fit of giggles over what had just occurred. It had grown unusually quiet around them but together they walked and laughed, not paying much attention to their surroundings. There was a clatter above them and when they dipped their heads back to look up in the sky, a giant figure was lowering down. At first Krista stepped back behind Ron, afraid that it was the pesky boggart playing tricks again, but as the figure became clearer she could see that it was a man. Ron's arms stiffened around Krista and he pushed her behind his body, ready to block anything that attempted to attack. He reached for his wand and waited for the perfect moment, " STUPEFY"

Rons and Krista watched as the figure held his arms high in the air, but then something happened and the spell reflected off of the figure and headed back towards the two. Ron pushed Krista to the ground and before she could do anything he collapsed into an unconscious heap.

" Ron! " Krista fell to the ground and smacked his face lightly with her own. He wasn't moving but she could see his chest rise and fall with breath. The figure hovered for a moment more and then landed at the foot of Ron. Krista was right, it was man but he was sitting on the back of a huge horse like creature.

" Oh dear, Ron? Are you alright?" the stranger looked at Krista and she nodded slowly, " I wouldn't have reflected the spell if I knew it was Ron. " he bent over and pulled back Rons eyelids. " He will be fine, lets just give him a few minutes.

Krista gave the stranger an odd expression and took a step away, " Who are you?"

He looked up at her and smiled, " Im Sirius Black," he stuck out his hand and waited for Krista to shake it. She was a bit suspicious of the man, but his name did sound familiar." Perhaps you know my son...well hes not really my son...actually he's umm..... yes..... Well do you know Harry Potter?" his eyebrows rose in question and then it snapped into Krista's head.

' Harry talks about Sirius all the time ' she smiled and shook his hand, " Im sorry of course I know Harry, he talks about you all the time. " she smiled.

" Well then, who do I have the pleasure of meeting? "

" Oh Im sorry how rude of me, Im Krista. " she smiled but his face had sunk into an odd expression.

" Krista? " He looked at her more intensely now, and Krista felt that his stare would burn a hole right through her. " Do I know your parents?"

" Im afraid not, Im from a muggle family. "

" Oh..." his voice trailed off but his stare remained peculiar, " do you know where I might find Harry?"

" He had Quidditch practice this morning, he might still be there. "

" Thank you...Im sure I will be seeing you again" his eyes were hesitant to leave but he turned and left Krista tending to Ron on the hill.

' What was that all about?'





*********





Harry looked at his watch and sighed deeply. This was something he had been dreading all day, but he knew that in order to get the answers you had to ask the questions. He knew the Slytherin Quidditch practice was just about over, and Malfoy would be out soon. He leaned against the wall and waited, trying to suppress any other thoughts from emerging. Yet the more he tried not to think about it, the more he did, and it pained him so much to see Hermione on the arm of another man. His thoughts were interrupted quickly when the group of Slytherins walked out of the changing room.

" Malfoy..." Harry took a step forward and the other Slytherins stopped dead in their tracks, ready for any type of attack.

" What do you want Potter?" his face was uninviting but Harry knew he had to press further.

" Can I speak with you" he looked around at the other Slytherins, " alone?" he knew Malfoy didn't trust him, but he hoped that he would at least allow for some sort of a conversation. "

Malfoy gave a reassuring look to the others and nodded them off. Reluctantly they obeyed but not with out a few cheap shoves of Harry.

" Now what is it Potter?" he propped himself up against his broom and gave his patented Malfoy stare.

" There are signs Malfoy...little ones, Im picking up one them. " Harry began calmly, he didn't want this to morph into a fist fight, but he was surprised when Malfoys face went a bit paler than usual.

" What do you mean?" and if Harry was right, there was a definite quiver in his voice.

" Malfoy it's so obvious, did you honestly think I wouldn't figure it out. " he took a step closer to Malfoy, he knew that he was closing in on the answers.

" Honestly Potter, what does it matter what I do, you should worry about your own problems." He kicked his broom with his foot and slung it over his shoulder. Harry gave Malfoy a puzzled look he had no idea what he was getting at but Harry continued to push for answers.

" Other people will begin to notice to Malfoy, why don't you just go to Dumbledore, fess up and he will help you out. "

" No one could ever find out, " he turned his back to Harry his voice had dropped significantly, " No one will ever find out. "

" Oh come on Malfoy, first you threaten Krista, then this mysterious thing appears, the ministry is a wreck and your fathers gone...people will be figuring it out soon , especially if I tell Dumbledore myself."

" Potter, what does my relationship with Ginny Weasley have anything to do with my father or the ministry? " he was shouting now and Harry could feel his body wither into mush.

' Ginny? And Malfoy? '

He knew the answers he was looking for would contain terrible truths, but he didn't know how right he actually was.





*******





The remainder of the week had been uneasy for them all. Hermione was tangled in a massive emotional web, Ron was forced to listen to Krista jabber about his parents and Harry had to live with the secret that Ginny and Malfoy were secretly together. They had all sworn to themselves that today would be different, after all it was the first trip to Hogsmeade and Gryffindor had just triumphed over Ravenclaw in the makeup Quidditch match.

The sun was bright in the sky and the birds were chirping happily as the mess of students filed in and out of stores shopping, browsing and chatting. Hermione had rushed off in her own direction, mumbling something about buying the new set of books that had just arrived. Ginny had walked off aimlessly by herself, and Harry figured she was going to meet Malfoy somewhere, and Ron had gone off to Zonkos' with Dean.

It was just he and Krista that roamed the streets side by side. Neither one wanted to do much shopping, and neither one was in the mood for much chat. So they had decided just to walk together, take in the beautiful day and relax. Krista however was having a rough time with the non-verbal part and found herself breaking the silence.

" I met your godfather the other day" she pushed her hair behind her ears

" Yes he told me, he said you were very nice " he smiled, " I said he must have met the wrong person..." he bellied over in laughter, clutching his stomach

" You think your so funny Harry..." and before she knew it she had tackled him to the ground. She played with him, punching him softly in the arm, but when he shoved her back she retaliated with a swift kick to the midsection.

" Your lucky Im not using all my brute strength on you " she laughed when she said this.

" Yes, Id be afraid you would talk me to death..." her face twisted into another grin and although she tried to act tough, she couldn't help but laugh the whole time.







********





He stood at the corner of the road and watched the two shove each other in playful manners. A smile curled from the corners of his mouth and he recalled the times he spent with his own best friend. The bond that they had possessed had been so strong that he had never considered his friend anything less than a brother. His heart sank a bit as he looked at Harry, there stood the creation of his best friend James, and the more Harry grew the more he was reminded of this best friend.

' And now this ' he thought watching the two go toppling down a hill.

He wasn't sure when he first saw her, in fact if she didn't move her hair from her face he would have never noticed. But he was positive now, he saw the necklace that she wore around her neck, and that hair of hers was exactly....He shook his head and looked again. What of he was wrong? After all after they had died the bond was surely broken between them. He looked at her again and she smiled at Harry. The same smile he had already known.

' Yes she is.....' The smile on his face trembled just a bit and a tear fell from his eye. For the past few years he had been able to see the face of James Potter in Harry, and now after all these years he was finally able to see the face of Lily Potter.









YAHOO CHAPTER 8 IS DONE!!!!!! But wait....



SNEAK PEAK OF CHAPTER 9:



Professor McGonagall entered the classroom, her face stiff and serious. There was a bit of muffled laughter from the Slytherins, but it stopped once she gave them a severe look of disapproval.

" Do you suppose Snape is sick? " Seamus whispered in Harry's ear

" I doubt it..." but something inside of Harry wasn't quite sure what was going on

" Class," the ears of every student glued quickly to every word that came from Professor McGonagalls mouth, " I am sorry to inform you that Professor Snape will not be here to teach today. " There were many smiles from the Gryffindor students but McGonagall continued, " Due to certain circumstances we are not entirely sure when we can expect him to return, therefore he will be replaced with a new potions teacher. "

" Who?" Hermione spat out loud

" Me...." all eyes turned to the back of the classroom.





ALSO IN CHAPTER 9.....More news from the ministry, Christmas approaches, Harry talks to Hermione, Ron learns the truth, and something goes missing... HOORAY FOR CHAPTER 8!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW.....Thanx bunches!