Okay, I decided to clear up some things :

Kekki - Willow disapparated with Lucius in the Forbidden forest which means for me out of Hogwarts ground.

Jinni - *grin* sorry for the cliffhanger but I just couldn't help it.

All of those who ask about Snape - lets just say I'll learn it in a less than appropriate moment. I'm not saying anything else.

Thanks to all of you for the reviews!!!

Part 19 : Restless

When Hermione entered the library, the first thing she saw was the blond Slytherin starring off into space. He'd spent the first night of Willow's disappearance in the infirmary, unable to sleep without the dreamless sleep potion. The shock had been too much. She never would have thought she'd see the day when Draco Malfoy would be defenseless.

Two days later, he wasn't in better condition. He skipped meals, didn't listen in class and let his mental health go to waste. He was losing his grip on sanity and if the redhead sisn't return to him soon, she feared for his life. He couldn't go on like this for long.

Sighing, she walked to his seat and put her hand on his shoulder, startling him. "Draco, you have to eat something and get some sleep. You look terrible."

He looked down in his lap. "I'm not hungry and I couldn't possibly sleep," he whispered. "I keep seeing her in my dreams." A tear fell down his cheek. He shut his eyes and pressed his palm to his forehead. "I can't go on like this forever, Granger. I never thought I could miss someone that bad. I want her near me." He fought back the tears, but couldn't keep down a sob.

Hermione looked down in shock at the heartbroken boy. [Willow, you better come back soon. He needs you.] She sat beside him and took his hand between her own. His grey eyes opened to look into her honey one. "Listen to me. You can't break down right now. You need Willow, but most of all, she needs you. Her helplessness drove her to darkness. Only your love could bring her back to the light side. You have to be strong."

"Why? Why do I have to be strong? It would be so much easier to just give up and be swallowed by darkness just to be by her side." He gasped when he was slapped hard across the face.

"Wake up! Stop being a cry-baby, spoiled brat and act like a man for once! I thought the Snakes never gave up, were ready to fight for what they wanted. You're a Slytherin! So act like it!"

Hermione's words finally seemed to sink in. His back straightened and his cockiness return back abit into his eyes. "You're right. It's just so hard. But I'll be strong. for her." He sighed. "If only I could have some time to gain back my old spirit."

"We don't have time. That's the problem. Think for a minute. I need the smart Draco Malfoy right now, not the despairing one. Wherever Willow went, it was far form Hogwarts, far from Dumbledore. I could give you many people who could be drawn to her darkness, but you'll need only one choice."

"Voldemort," he grumbled.

"Right. Willow is strong, but also vulnerable. I'd like to believe she'd resist him and live, but we both know it is unlikely the truth. She'll join force with him."

"But she's smart," Draco added. "I doubt she'll show him the true extent of her power."

"I agree with you on that. Voldemort we'll think himself ready to take on the school no doubt because of his new *secret weapon*. We know that. The question is what do we do with this information?"

Gaining control over his emotions, cold reflection settled upon Draco's mind. "I don't think we should tell Snape about Willow. It's her decision, not ours."

"I know," she replied softly. "But think of it this way. Her pureblooded status is a truth known by us and Willow. an possibly Dumbledore. This gives us a head start on the Death Eaters."

"No matter how many head start we have on them, we are *not* ready to take on the Dark Lord and his army."

"Then what can we do?"

Draco stood up and pulled the Gryffindor behind him as he left the library. "We need to speak with the Headmaster."

* * *

"Are you sure, mister Malfoy?"

"Positive, sir. Now that he has Willow, he has the necessary power to attack the school." He looked directly into Dumbledore's eyes. "What about Willow? The ministry won't hold anything against her, I hope?"

The Headmaster sighed. "I hope too, mister Malfoy, but I can't garanty anything. What I can garanty though is my protection if she wishes to be protected. Her father trusted me enough to put his live in my hand, I'm sure I could do the same for her."

Hermione gasped. "So you do know about Willow and professor Snape!" she exclaimed.

He smiled. "Of course I do, miss Granger. And miss Rosenberg knows that I know. We had a conversation in the infirmary the other day."

"She knew and never told me," Draco grumbled. "Didn't she trust me?"

Hermione put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. "I'm sure she had a good reason not to tell you. Knowing Willow, I'm sure she thought we'd be disgusted with or some other nonsense like that."

Draco smiled a bit. "You're right. It does sound like Willow-thoughts."

The Headmaster stood up and gestured to the door. "Now, I want you both to go down and eat something. I trust you know the way to the kitchen, miss Granger?"

The Gryffindor blushed and nodded. Draco lifted an eyebrow at her. "Naughty Hermione. Sneaking into the kitchen to steal food. Tsk! Tsk!"

She playfully hit him. "Hush you! Thank you, professor." She pulled a protesting Slytherin behind her, walking quickly down the stairs.

Dumbledore smiled at the retreating teenagers. "Such good spirits. I hope you know what you're missing, Willow Rosenberg. You're hurting them both as much as you're hurting yourself."

The Headmaster sat down behind his desk and sighed. "Come back to us soon. As much as your friends needs you, your father needs your presence more than anyone else. May you find your way out of darkness and back to us. Good luck, miss Rosenberg."