Disclaimer:  I don't own Harry Potter.  Oh how I wish I did…BUT I DON'T! The only character that is mine is Jade Miko! I created her; you can only use her after explicit written permission from me, the authoress.  Thank you.  If you survive, please come again.

~~ Hello! I'm Mr. Recap and I will be your guide through the events of chapter 6.  As you know, Professor Snape took 100 points from the Slytherin house for Draco pushing Harry down the stairs.  The Slytherins weren't too happy about this.  A gang of 7th years headed by Marcus Flint attack him, putting him in the hospital wing.  He has now been in the hospital wing for a week.  ~~

You'll find better love

Strong as it ever was

Deep as the river runs

Warm as the morning sun

Please remember me

-Tim McGraw, "Please Remember Me"

Chapter 7:  A Means to An End (Thank you Sarah for that title)

            "Draco, I just finished your tests.  You are free to leave the hospital wing.  Be careful…or more careful," Madame Pomfrey shooed Draco out of the hospital wing.  She started bustling about, cleaning his bed after he got up.

"Thank you, madam," Draco left the hospital wing slowly, for he was still a little sore.

Jade was eating lunch alone in the Great Hall.  She had been a little late, and everyone had already left.  She was eating fairly quickly so she could go upstairs and see Draco.  Aside from meals and classes, Jade had been spending all her time in the hospital wing with Draco.  He had been there for a week now, and she was worried about him.

Draco looked at his watch as he walked quickly toward the Great Hall.  He slowed down.  It was just after lunch.  Draco sighed, disappointed, he had wanted to see Jade.  He turned around and headed towards the dungeons.

Jade finished her meal and left the Great Hall, heading up towards the hospital wing.  As she entered the infirmary, she saw Madame Pomfrey bustling about, cleaning various things.  "Good afternoon, Madame Pomfrey," Jade said politely.  "Is Draco awake?"

Madame Pomfrey jumped, not expecting anyone to be in the hospital wing.  "Oh, no dear, he's gone," she said, not looking at Jade, but continuing to clean.

"Gone? You mean you released him?"
            "Of course, dear," Madame Pomfrey looked up at Jade.  "Anything else I can do for you, Jade?"

"No thank you, ma'am!" Jade called back.  She could hardly contain her excitement as she darted out of the hospital wing. She practically fell down every stairwell she came across, heading for the dungeons.  Jade stopped suddenly, realizing she didn't know where the Slytherin common room was. She got an idea, and walked down to the tree where they first kissed.  Jade was slightly crestfallen when she saw Draco wasn't there, but decided to lie in front of the tree anyway.  She stared up at the clouds, and eventually dozed off.

Draco walked slowly towards the Slytherin common room.  He was about to open the door, but he heard the other Slytherins talking about him and Jade and what they did.  It sounded like a party.  Not wanting to deal with them again, Draco started to walk off.  Wonder where Jade is? Draco thought as he looked outside a window.  He realized how beautiful a day it was and started to walk outside.  Automatically, without thinking about it, he headed towards the tree he had sat with Jade.

Jade lie on her back in front of the tree, fast asleep.  Draco wasn't watching where he was going as he walked towards the tree, and tripped over a root.  Falling flat on his face, he started to get up. He saw Jade lying under the tree, asleep.  He looks at her sweetly and quietly crawls over and sits behind her.  He lifted her head onto his lap, petting her hair.  Jade smiled, her eyes closed.  "Mm, Draco."

He jumped a little bit, not expecting her to answer.  "Yes?" he whispered.

Jade spoke, her words slurring together a little bit.  "Go back to bed.  You're still not well…"

Draco laughed a little.  "Oh dear you aren't awake are you?" He continued to pet her hair.  He started to lean over.  "I'm perfectly fine, hun," He said, then leaned in and kisses her lips softly.  Jade's eyes cracked open at the touch of his lips. She closed them again.  He slowly lifted from the kiss, looking down at Jade's face.  "Well, you can't be all asleep…never thought asleep people could kiss like that."

"I'm just talented like that," Jade said dreamily.

Draco laughed again.  "I could tell.  Sleep well?"

Jade opened her eyes.  "Mm…yeah."

"Well, that's good," Draco said, continuing to play with her hair.

Jade sat bolt upright, looking behind her.  "Draco!"

"Yes?" he asked, surprised.

"Hi!" she cried, hugging him.

            "Not too hard," Draco said, wincing.  "I'm still a bit sore in places."

            Jade pulled back. "I'm sorry.  It's just…"

"Just what?"

"I'm glad you're okay," she finished.

"Well, I'm glad too.  Thank you," he held her chin lightly.  "Thank you."

"I'm afraid, Draco."

"Afraid?" he asked, confused.  Jade nodded.  "Why? The Slytherins?  They wouldn't try anything on you."

"It's not me, I'm worried about.  I'm afraid that if they get to you again, they won't just hurt you.  I'm afraid they'll kill you!"

            "They won't kill me," Draco responded.  "You shouldn't worry yourself so much.  It isn't healthy."

Jade looked at her watch.  She leapt up. "Oh, no!" She cried.

Draco jumped. "What's wrong?"

"I'm late for Defense Against the Dark Arts!" she cried, grabbing her pack. She kissed Draco lightly on the cheek.  "Got to go!!  I'll talk to you later, Draco!" Jade sprinted up the hill.  Draco waved.  Jade waved back, disappearing into the castle.  As she entered the castle, what looked like the same group of Slytherins who attacked Draco was walking through the hall.  They stepped in front of her, tripping her.  Jade cried out, trying to catch herself.  Failing, she fell flat on the floor.

They towered over her, surrounding her.  "Hello, Gryffindor," Marcus Flint said.  Jade turned over, looking up at them.  They were all looking down rather evilly.  Jade grabbed her pack and started to get up.  Flint stepped on her robes, disabling her ability to get up.  Jade fell back down hard on her butt.  "And where might you be going?" he demanded.

"I have to get to class."

"Going to disrupt it I'm sure," Flint accused.

"I don't know what you're talking about.  Now, if you would please remove your foot from my robe, I'll just be going."

"Don't think so."  Flint looked to his sides at the other boys.  He nodded  "Boys!"  He cried, and without giving her any time to do anything, they whipped out their wands firing the same spell they used on Draco at the same time at her.  "Go join your friend!" he cried, not knowing Draco had been released from the hospital wing.  "I'm sure he could use some company." Jade didn't even have time to cry out.  She fell to the floor, unconscious and bleeding from various wounds.  They walked away, leaving Jade lying on the floor.

Draco, tired of just sitting at the tree, made his way up to the castle.  He figured he should go back to the Slytherin common room.  He had just walked into the castle when he spotted Jade lying on the ground.  "Jade! They didn't…they wouldn't…" Draco growled.  "I'll get them for this." He ran over, lifting Jade in his arms.  He started to go to the hospital wing when he spotted a peice of paper lying on the floor.  He leaned down and picked it up, stuffing it in his pocket. Draco continued running, carrying Jade carefully despite his speed.  He reached the hospital wing and ran in, screaming for Madame Pomfrey.

            Madame Pomfrey came running out in response to his screams.  "Mr. Malfoy?! What is the emergency?" She cried, then glanced at Jade in Draco's arms.  "What happened to her?"

            "It was those Slytherins," he replied, out of breath.  They did this to her."

            "Making blind accusations doesn't tell me much, Mr. Malfoy," Madame Pomfrey pointed out.

            "I don't know what happened.  I was coming inside and she was on the floor like this." 

Madame Pomfrey lifted Jade's limp form gently out of Draco's arms and put her on a bed.  "Did you have anything to do with this, Mr. Malfoy?"

"No, I didn't," Draco replied.  "Me and her were outside under a tree talking and she had to go to class so she left.  And when I went inside I found her like this.  Why would I hurt her?"  Draco, remembering suddenly, took out the peice of paper and sees whose name was on the top of it.  He gasped and started screaming, "I knew it!! Look this was right by where she was laying! Look, it says Marcus Flint, see?!"

Madame Pomfrey, extremely angry, scolded Draco. "Mr. Malfoy would you please keep your voice down?! This is a hospital wing not a quidditch pitch!"

"Sorry madam," he apologized.  "Will she be okay?"

"I don't know yet, Mr. Malfoy. It's too early to tell."

"Well, can I wait with her?" Draco pleaded.

Madame Pomfrey thought for a moment.  "Alright, as long as you don't get in my way."

"I won't!" He said, taking a seat in a chair next to the bed Madame Pomfry had put jade in.  I'll sit right here."

"Fine," Madame Pomfrey replied, and began to examine Jade, doing different tests on her.  Her face was creased with concentration and concern. Draco sat, watching, but didn't want to disturb.  Madame Pomfrey left the room.  She came back about twenty minutes later, her face grave.

Draco stood.  "What's wrong?" he asked.  Madame Pomfry motioned him outside.  He when where she told him to, getting really nervous and worried.

            Madame Pomfrey walked out behind Draco, shutting the door. Her voice was very quiet when she spoke.  "Mr. Malfoy, whatever was done to you was also done to Jade, only worse.  Either there were more people doing it, or it was a more powerful attack.  Her body is weaker than yours, and took it worse."

"Will she be okay? Will she...she…" Draco couldn't bring himself to say it.  His knees started wobbling.

"Mr. Malfoy do you need to sit down?"

"No!" he said, almost screaming.  "I'm fine, please tell me will she be okay?"

            Madame Pomfrey glared at Draco sternly.  "I have done all I can for her."

            "What does that mean?" Draco demanded.  "Is she going to be okay? That's all I want to know.  Please, madam you must tell me."

Madame Pomfrey sighed.  "I would tell you if I could, Mr. Malfoy.  You may wait with her if you wish."

Draco, rather angry that she couldn't, or she wouldn't, tell him what was wrong, took her offer and sat next to Jade.  He put his hand on hers.  Jade lie motionless on the bed.  Draco started crying.  "Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay…"

Quite awhile later, Madame Pomfrey came back into the room where Jade lay.  "Mr. Malfoy, I'm going to have to ask you to go back to your dorm.  It's quite late."

"Please, can I stay here with her?"  Draco begged.

            "I'm sorry, but—," Madame Pomfrey began.

            "Please, Madam Pomfrey! I can sleep in an empty bed.  Please, I would really like to stay with her," Draco pleaded, still crying.

            "She probably will not wake up tonight," Madame Pomfrey said. She looked at Draco sympathetically, sighing.  "Alright, you can stay." 

            "Thank you madam," Draco said.  He looked at Jade, then back at Madame Pomfrey. He headed to an empty bed.

            "You missed dinner, are you hungry?"

            "No, not really.  I'll be fine," Draco said, wiping the tears off his cheek.

            Madame Pomfrey walked over to him, handing him a handkerchief.  She put her hand on his shoulder.  "Please come tell me if she wakes up."

            Draco sniffled, blowing his nose.  "Yes, ma'am."

            Madame Pomfrey walked off.  Draco looked at Jade once more.  "Draco…" she said in an extremely quiet whisper, not opening her eyes.

            "You should rest, don't try to talk," Draco whispered, surprised.  "I know who did this to you."

            "It doesn't matter anymore, Draco," Jade said slowly, her breath labored.

            "Yes it does, what are you saying?" Jade didn't respond.  "Jade…" Draco sniffled and began crying again.  "Please, just rest."

Jade lifted her hand slowly, resting it on Draco's cheek.  "Don't cry…I'll always—," she paused.  "I'll always be with you."

"What are you talking about?  Of course you will, you'll be here with me.  You'll be better soon, I know it! You just need to rest.

Jade's breathing slowed.  She smiled.  "I...I couldn't stop them, Draco.  They were too powerful for me…"

"I know.  They overpowered me too.  Please rest.  You need to rest."

"I love you, Draco," Jade said softly.

"I love you too, Jade," Draco replied.

Jade's voice was now so soft, Draco could barely hear her.  "Goodbye—Draco," Jade said.  She died.

            "No, Jade…JADE!!!!" Draco screamed. 

Madame Pomfrey came into the room, hearing Draco.  "Mr. Malfoy, what is the matter?!"

            "She's…" Draco said, sobbing hard.  "She…she's gone…" Madame Pomfrey's eyes widened.  She walked over to examine Jade.  "Don't bother," Draco said through his tears.

"Mr. Malfoy, you must leave." 

Draco ran out of the hospital wing, sobbing, not responding to Madame Pomfrey.  Just as he cleared the door, he ran right into Harry Potter.  "Harry!  You…she's…no…I can't," he stammered, and started to run off.

Harry grabbed Draco's arm, seeing his face.  "What is up with you, Malfoy?"

"Jade…Slytherins…nothing could be done," Draco said, unable to string any words together in a sentence.  His knees buckled and he fell to the floor.  Draco didn't care, he sat there sobbing at Harry's feet.

"Jade?!" Harry demanded.  He grabbed Draco's shirt collar, lifting him up.  "What did you do to her?!"

"Nothing…7th years..they…attacked…they…she's…" Draco couldn't finish.  He couldn't bring himself to tell Harry what happened.  Harry dropped Draco and went into the hospital wing.  Draco sat there, sobbing.  He could hear muffled shouting from within the hospital wing.  Harry was kicked out of the hospital wing.  He stood near the doorway, looking a bit confused.  "I told you," Draco said, still crying.  "You never did listen to anyone.

            Tears began to well in Harry's eyes.  He spoke furiously.  "Malfoy, this is all your fault.  If you hadn't of pushed me down the steps, those Slytherins would have never attacked her!"

            "If you hadn't been up in her business, I never would have pushed you in the first place!  Hell, I would have been on the other side of the castle!!" Harry jumped, not responding.  He walked off towards his common room, tears flowing from his face.  Draco stood and stormed off in the opposite direction, still bawling.

            "Well, well, well.  Look who it is," Marcus Flint spotted Draco storming down the hallway.  He moved to stand in front of him.

            Draco looked to see who it is.  "Flint!" he screamed and punched him in the face hard. "You ass! You should be expelled!"
            Flint backed up a bit, surprised.  His nose was now bleeding. "Oh I should, should I?  And why is that?"

            "Because you killed her damn it!  You fucking killed her!"  Draco spat furiously.

            "Killed who?" Flint asked.

            "I found your potions notes where her body was when I found her.  It has your name on it," Draco held up the note to Flint, keeping it just out of his reach.

            "Oh, the Gryffindor," Flint said nonchalantly.  "She had it coming."

            "You don't care?" Draco demanded.  "She is fucking dead Flint!"

            "One less snob to deal with," Flint shrugged.  Draco punched Flint in the face harder than ever.  Draco whipped out his wand and performed the body bind spell on Flint.  He went stiff as a board and fell to the ground.  Draco grabbed his legs and dragged him to the hospital wing.

Draco ran in to the infirmary, where Madame Pomfrey was talking solemnly to Dumbledore and McGonagall.  "Professors, Flint did this I have proof he did it.  He killed her!" Draco cried, dropping Flint's feet.  He stood there looking to each professor, then passed out.  Madame Pomfrey pulled out her wand, using it to lift Flint and Draco onto their own separate beds.

            "We will have to wait until one of them wakes up to talk to them about this," Madame Pomfrey said gravely.

Dumbledore ignored Madame Pomfrey.  "No, we need to find out what happened.  Now," he said, and walked over to Draco's bed and shook him awake.

"Uh, yes, sir," Draco said as he woke up.  Madame Pomfrey performed the counter curse on Flint, keeping him a sleep.  "Professor," Draco sat up, a little dizzy.  He ignored it when he saw Madame Pomfrey doing the counter curse on Flint.  "Don't do that!  He should be the one dead, not Jade…"

"No need for death threats, Mr. Malfoy."

"What happened?  What did Flint do?"  Dumbledore demanded.

"Jade and I, we, well we were dating and you know how they are.  How I was.  They didn't like it.  They all threatened us…even Snape, even precious Potter," Draco explained.  "They all threatened until finally Flint over there and his 7th year buddies took action.  They went after me first, keeping me in here for a week.  And then they went after Jade and they went too far this time."

            "You're saying Flint is responsible for you and jade?" Madame Pomfrey asked.

            "Yes," Draco nodded.  "I found this note right next to Jade's body when I found her in the hallway unconscious."  He handed the note to Madame Pomfrey.  She took the note and examined it before handing it to Dumbledore.  "They are his potion notes.  He must have dropped when he was taking out his wand to do…to do…that," Draco couldn't say it; he merely pointed to Jade's motionless body.

Dumbledore adjusted his spectacles, reading the notes.  "And you are sure that he did this?  This is a serious offense.  One worthy of expulsion.  We must be absolutly sure."

"Yes, professor.  They were right there and I know he was in the group who did the same to me.  I vote you never wake him up."

            "It's his word against Flint's, Professor Dumbledore," McGonagall spoke for the first time.  The only way we'll know for sure is Severus's truth serum.

"Professor McGonagall is right, headmaster," Madame Pomfrey said.

"Yes, I agree.  I shall go talk to Severus and get it.  Madame Pomfrey, I suggest you wake Flint up."

Madame Pomfrey nodded.  "Yes, headmaster.

Draco stood up and went to sit by Jade's bed.  He put his hand on her stomach over the sheets.  "I'm so sorry…" he whispered before going over to Flint's bed. 

"Mr. Malfoy, don't even think of doing anything to Flint when i wake him up," Madame Pomfrey threatened, saying the word to awaken Flint.

"Of course not, ma'am.  I just want the first thing he sees when he wakes up is a face of pure hatred," and truly, Draco's face was contorted with loathing.

Flint sat up, a little dazed.  Glancing at Draco, he said, "Wipe that look of your face Malfoy, before I do it for you."

            Draco sneered. "Ass," he muttered quietly before saying quite loudly, "You forgetting whose here?" He pointed at McGonagall.

            At this point, Madame Pomfrey moved between Draco and Flint.  "Alright, none of that.  Mr. Malfoy, you go over with McGonagall.  Mr. Flint, you stay right here."  Draco growled at Flint as he went to McGonagall's side.  Flint stood, ready to attack Draco.  Madame Pomfrey pushed him back onto the bed.  "You stay there."  Flint sat on the bed, glaring daggers at Draco.

            Professor Snape and Dumbledore both walked into the hospital wing, both looking rather upset.  Snape looked pissed more than anything.  "Professor Snape!" Flint cried.

            "Yes, Flint?"

            Flint looked down.  "Nothing sure, just didn't expect to see you up here."

Snape glared at Flint.  "When I hear a student of my own house is suspected to have murdered someone you expect me to sit back in my chair and say 'who cares?' and grade papers? No, no, no, NO!  Icame and brought what will determine if you're guilty or not.  Although with Draco's action lately i don't expect I believe his story." Snape glared at Draco a little.

            Flint gulped slightly.  "Yes, sir."

"Snape, give me the potion we shall administrate what is necessary," Dumbledore said, taking the potion and giving it to Flint to drink.  "Snape how long do we have to wait?"

"I'd say only a few minutes.  McGonagall, you ask him," Snape said.  Flint took the potion tentatively, drinking it.  He grimaced; it tasted disgusting.  Snape waited a few minutes, then said, "McGonagall, I think it should have set in.  Ask him the question."

            McGonagall nodded.  "Marcus Flint, did you attack Draco Malfoy and Jade Miko?"

            Flints voice was emotionless, and his face expressionless.  "Yes."

            "Ha! I told you!!" Draco burst out.  "He killed her!! Expel him! Send him to Azkaban!"

Both Madame Pomfrey and McGonagall bow their heads, disappointed.  "Mr. Malfoy, please calm yourself," McGonagall snapped.

            "Yes, ma'am."

            She turned back to Flint.  "Marcus Flint, are you aware of the severe consequences of your actions?"

"Yes, ma'am." Flint's voice was still devoid of emotion.

Snape growled evilly and stormed off.  "Professor Dumbledore, sir," McGonagall began.  "It's your decision on whether or not he should go to Azkaban or not.  He is fairly young to be there.

"Yes he is young," Dumbledore agreed.  "But he did murder a young girl.  He will most certainly be expelled and his parents will be informed of course.  I suggest we turn him over to Fudge."

McGonagall nodded in agreement.  "Will you tell the rest of the school at dinner?"

"Yes.  This will be a hard one, but yes.  This will be a dark day for everyone and a disgrace to the Slytherin house."

"Mr. Malfoy will you be alright?" McGonagall asked, looking at Draco, who was still sobbing, but not as heavy as before.

           "Y-yes ma'am.  Can I just sit with her for a little bit?"  Draco asked.  McGonagall nodded, and everyone left the room, leaving Draco alone with Jade.  He walked over to the side of Jade's bed.  Draco hugged her motionless body.

            "Draco…" Draco heard Jade's voice, but thought it was in his head. 

            "Oh, Jade I can still hear your voice!"  Draco began crying again.

            "Don't cry, Draco.  Please," Jade's voice pleaded.

            "But you're dead," Draco answered unconsciously.  He realized what he was saying, and looked up.  "Jade?"

            "I'm here."

            "How…I don't understand.  Where are you?" he looked around.

"You can't see me," Jade said sadly.

"Why not? I want to see you," Draco spoke through his tears.

"I'm sorry.  It's hard enough for me to talk to you."

"How can you even speak to me? You're…" Draco stopped, his tears overcoming him.  "Dead…"

"I can't explain," Jade said.  "Please, don't cry!"

"But, it's all my fault.  I should have walked you to class!"

"No.  If you had walked me to class, we'd both be dead," Jade responded.

"At least I'd be with you right now," Draco insisted.

"Don't Draco," Jade pleaded.  "It just wasn't meant to be."

"It should have been!  I mean, how is this fair?" Draco cried.  "Someone finally understands me and she…dies!" He began crying once more.

"I know it's not fair, but there isn't anything i can do," Jade said.

"How long can you talk to me?" Draco asked. "They are thinking of sending that no good Flint to Azkaban."

"Not for much longer."

"Will I ever hear you again?"

"Yes…" Jade paused.  "Unless…"

"Unless? What?  I won't ever see you again, will I?

"You can see me one last time.  Or you can decide to not see me now, and I will be able to talk to you periodically," Jade explained.

"So I either see you once more for a short while or be able to talk to you now and then?  What a choice," he replied bitterly.

"I'm sorry."

"Which would you prefer?" Draco asked.

            "This is your choice, Draco," Jade said, not being much help.

            "But I want you to be happy!  I can't choose…I want to see you so bad, but the thought of never hearing your voice again kills me all over again!"

"I am happy. I'll always be with you, Draco, even if you can't see me," Jade replied.

"Then I guess…I'll choose to talk to you…but I want to see you.  I won't be able to hold you ever again!"

"Believe it or not, I'm holding you right now," Jade said.

"I can't feel you," Draco replied sadly.  A warmth suddenly filled Draco's entire body. "Mmm…Okay I get it, I can feel you," Draco said.  He laughed, blushing.  He felt his cheeks getting hot.  "Yeah, that's definitely you.  But I wish I could see you still.  I guess knowing you are here will do.  I'm happy. I miss you Jade."

"I miss you too.  Better not let anyone catch you talking to yourself."

Draco shook his head.  "They all went to deal with Flint."

            "Draco…" Jade said, her voice faded and died.

            "Jade? JADE!!!!!"  Draco screamed.