Chapter Two

It was a month later. It was December 26th. Tabby was walking down the 6th floor halls. Without hearing anything, someone put a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and turned around to see Fred, who pulled back in alarm.

"Gees Tabbs, it's just me. What's got you all spooked? You've been acting weird today." he asked as the walked down the hall.

"Nothing, just... just forget it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah"

"Ok then, but promise me something."

"What?"

"If something IS wrong, at least tell one of us.

She smiled. "I promise."

"Ok then." he patted her on the shoulder.

"See ya Tabbs"

"See ya" they said, as they went down separate corridors.

She came to the stairs, and made her way through the maze of changing stairwells. She walked down the hall to the end. She stopped. She didn't hear anything, or see anything. But she felt something. She turned around, to see someone standing only 5 feet away.

"Draco…" she said scared at first.

"Shh, shh.. Its ok Tabby. I meant what I told you in that letter, he said, caressing her chin in his fingers.

"I knew you'd be back." she said, calming down.

"Of course I'm back. Do you really think I've given up? I don't give up on anything." he said laughing in a friendly way. If anyone would have seen them, they'd have been confused.

"Please, Tabitha, give me the Amulet. You know I don't want to hurt you." he said

"I can't. Not until you tell me why you need it."

"Because, it's all I have left of her,"

"Her?" she asked.

"My mother." he said.

"What do you mean?"

"You know my father died in Azkaban. Well, some of his haters killed my mother." he said, seeming for the first time in ages, upset.

"Oh my god." she said, putting a hand over her mouth. "Narcissa? I can't believe it..."

"I know. That amulet was hers. I gave it to her when I started school." he said.

She walked up to him, and took off the amulet.

"I put a jinx on it, know this. That if it is tried to be used for anything evil, it will harm the user." She warned.

"Just cause you and me are close, don't mean I can put every ounce of my trust in you again." she said with a smile, obviously showing that she didn't like saying that to him.

He grinned.

"It's just a symbol of my mom and I's relationship. That's all" he said, as he tucked back some of her loose hair behind her ears. She smiled, and gave it to him.

"I'm so sorry Draco…" she said again.

He pulled her into a hug.

"It's ok. I'll be fine." he said.

She smiled at him when they pulled apart.

"You sure?"

"Yeah"

He looked at the amulet, almost loathingly. He took a deep breathe, and seemed to decide on something very important. "I got an Idea. Turn around, and close your eyes.

"Ok…" she said, and listened.

He put the necklace around her neck, and fascined it. She then turned around.

"From one of the most important women in my life, to another." he smiled.

She smiled back.

"Thank you. And I'm sorry…"

"For what?"

"That I've been a problem. I haven't told them anything, so they think your dangerous now."

He grinned.

"Don't worry…"

Suddenly, Fred walked around the corner, and at the sight of Malfoy, grabbed his wand, and yelled

"Stupefy!" which, knocked Malfoy back.

Tabby looked from Fred to Draco.

Draco stood, and gave her a quick wink, and disaperated.

Fred ran to her.

"Are you ok? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

"No, I'm fine. Its ok.." she said.

He shook his head. :She's too confusing.: he thought. :She doesn't even want our help anymore.: He walked away again.

Down in the Slytherin Common Room, Bunny was standing in front of a chair, staring into the fire.

As she slumped onto a squishy chair, she noticed Malfoy walking into the room. She rolled her eyes. "So Malfoy... what are you up to?" He looked slightly surprised and confused. "What are you talking about, half-breed?"

She sighed. "I saw you and Tabby on the staircases on my way up to the common room. You disturb me; you're up to no good. I saw the way you looked at her."

"And what way was that?" He sounded interested.

Bunny groaned, "You're pathetic Malfoy."

"What do you mean?!"

"I know you want something from her, and the way you are treating her now, it's just bizarre. So cut the crap and tell me what you want with Tabitha!"

"You know what... you sound jealous."

"Wha…what? What do you mean jealous?! Of who, of Tabby for being with you? NO. I'm not jealous. I'm just trying to protect my friend."

"Yea... right... well I don't have anything horrible planned; all I want to do is get to know Tabby."

"That's bull... stay away from her."

"You just can't trust me can you?"

"No… not after what you pulled on Halloween. You lead me on too…"

"Get over it. I was different then."

"Sure... feeding me more lies? You better watch out Malfoy, I'm on to you."

"No, you better watch out…"

He glared at me as he walked up the stair case into the boy's dormitory. She threw a pillow across the room.

She stood up and walked over to the pillow. Luckily, there wasn't anyone else in the room, She picked it up. She was mad and She didn't know why. Without thinking, she ran up to the boy's dorm. She slammed the door open and walked up to Malfoy who looked slightly alarmed. "What do you wan-" She wicked him on the side of the head with the pillow before he would finish his sentence. "...traitor..." She whispered. He looked confused. "I guess I am jealous…" She said. She dropped the pillow on the floor and ran leaving him silent. She ran out into the hallway. By the time she caught my breath, I was feeling better. She saw Tabby walking towards her, and she was smiling. Looked like she was in a happy mood.

"Hey Bunny" she said happily. Then Draco came down the steps. It was weird. He was in the common room, after ditching school since the end of his 3rd year, as he had told her in a letter he sent her over the summer.

Her look turned from happy, to confused and worried. She ran past Bunny and over to him.

"Draco, what are you doing here?" she whispered.

"Grabbing some stuff I left behind last year." he smirked, holding up a small bag.

"Hid it under a loose floorboard."

"And what exactly is in that bag?" she asked him

"Hmm. Some papers and other junk."

"Oh."

He looked over at Bunny, who was sitting in a chair, staring at the fire. He gave her a grim look.

"What was that?" she asked

"What was what?"

"That look."

"Oh, to her? She got all crazy on me when I walked in. She obviously knows I'm aloud here, but doesn't like it. Ever Since Halloween, she, along with all your other friends, don't like me very much. She threw a pillow at me." he laughed in his final words, rubbing his head.

She smiled.

"Come on..." she said, taking his hand, and leading him out of the common room, Bunny giving him another evil look as they left.

Tabitha pulled him out into the hall way, and then let go. They started walking down the hall, her arms crossed.

"I thought you said you'd stay away. With all that's happened with you lately, between you and all of us, i figured you'd keep low." she said worriedly.

"I know, but still. I can't help but hang around here. Why would I ever leave." he said, nudging her in her side with his elbow. She grinned as she looked up at him.

"I get it. But still. You left last year, and… you've got the reputation to keep everyone here on edge due to you."

He grinned.

"Well, they obviously don't know me too well. You should have heard your ill friend. She was all 'I know you want something from her. I saw the way you looked at her. And how you've been treating her lately. Cut the crap' yada yada yada. Ha! She obviously doesn't know me and you go back. Huh? Or she'd know it wasn't some trick. Your not that dumb, she should know that one." he laughed.

She laughed too.

"Tabby, I gotta ask yaw something." he said suddenly.

"What?"

"Are you mad at me?"

"No, why would i be mad at you?" she asked

"Because, I didn't save Tom, when we both know i could have."

She looked down, and they both stopped.

"Draco, I know it wasn't you who killed him. I let everyone believe it, but i didn't really think that. At that time, you dad was alive, and out of Azkaban, and you told me already about him using you and all. I get it. You did what you could." she said.

He smiled.

"So you're not mad?"

"How could i ever get mad at someone who is way too good at getting out of it with just a stare with those bright gray eyes." she said, and both laughed.

They made their way to the great hall, talking about how the others been, since they haven't had the time. They walked inside, and sat down.

"Tabbs, for all those horrible things that i did before..." he started

"Draco, lets not have this talk again, yeah you did some bad things, but..." she was cut off, by someone bursting into the Great Hall, wand out.

"Yeah, you could say he's done some pretty bad things…" said a cold voice.

"And he will pay for speaking of them," said Malfoy's father. He yelled stupefy and Draco became as solid as stone. "Tabitha...you are a foolish girl. You will pay for meddling in what is not to be meddled in, Crucio!" yelled Lucius. Tabitha went it to such pain, it caused her to black out. The last thing Tabby heard before she went unconscious was the sound of someone running, and Lucius yelling, "Obliviate!"

In her mind, Tabitha was worried. She was scared. She prayed that the obliviate spell missed Draco, since she knew it missed her. She was scared. She wasn't sure if his father would do something to her.

Wait... Lucius!! They thought he died in Azkaban!! Oh no... And that was no ghost. She guessed, and correctly, that Lucius indeed made his way out of Azkaban. When she woke up, she wasn't in Kansas anymore, if you no what i mean. She was in the Malfoy Manor, a place she hadn't been since she was young. She knew the room perfectly well. It was her guest room. Hers. Narcissa convinced Lucius to let Tabitha have the room for the many visits she made. It still had her posters. The four post bed was king sized. Black sheets and pillows lay on the bed, and black curtains hung around the bed. She was lying on the bed. She looked around, and suddenly remembering what all happened, rushed to the door, to find it locked.

She searched for her wand… But it was gone. She collapsed to the ground. Suddenly, she heard footsteps, and rushed over to the bed, and jumped up. The door to her room opened, and in walked Lucius.

"Well. Tabitha. It's been a long time since you've been around the manor." said Lucius in a snake's voice in her mind.

"What did you do with Draco!!" she screamed.

"Hmm… Well. He dodged the 'obliviate' curse. But sadly, he escaped. Well, that is a tricky situation isn't it? Draco, my Draco, left, you, Tabitha Black, behind in my hands." said Lucius slyly.

"Wha…What?" she quivered.

"What should we do with you. Ah! Yes." he snapped his fingures, and a maid walked in.

"Lindiana, lets get our guest dressed, properly, for dinner." he said mischievously. (sp?) She nodded, and he left the room. Lindiana walked to the closet, and pulled out a dark green dress, with a silver collar on the neck and sleeves.

"Here you are m'lady." said Lindiana. Tabitha looked at it oddly. She left it on the chair, and left the room. Tabby heard it lock shut again. She dressed, and sat on the bed. Lucius entered.

"Ah. You looked wonderful. Lets eat, shall we?" he said She followed him down the hall to the dinning room. She sat in her normal chair. Lucius always sat on one end, Narcissa on the other. Draco and Tabby sat cross from each other next to his mother. She only picked at her food.

"Oh, is Tabitha missing Draco?" said Lucius. This got to her final nerve.

"Just Shut it Lucius! You've been a slithering snake since the day I met you!" she yelled across the table.

"Now now, table voice dear."

"No! I'm tired of your games. We though you were dead." she said loudly. "Probably the best we've ever been." she said under your breath.

"Well, you don't need to be getting all uptight. I'm sure your lovely Draco is on his way to get you right now." laughed Lucius, obviously joking about his words.

But truthfully, Draco was finding a way to help her.

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Back at Hogwarts, Fred and Ron sat in the Slytherin common room with Asuka, Bunny, and Kino. They all were talking mainly about how they didn't like Malfoy being back. To make matters worse, Draco came running in, his robe falling off, and his hair not so slick.

"Not you. What do your scales want?" said Asuka.

"Its Tabitha…" he started, catching his breath.

"What about her! What did you do?" said Bunny straightening up.

"Nothing! Its my fa.. Lucius. He tried to use obliviate on me, and knocked Tabby out before disappearing to somewhere with her. No doubt the Manor." said Draco.

"Yeah, right.." said Bunny, slouching again. "Your probably just trying to trick us into one of your lil traps again." she said, everyone agreeing.

"I'm not kidding! She could be in a lot of trouble! Damn!" he said in rage, as he ran out, leaving them all rolling their eyes, but still thinking to themselves.. 'What if he isn't lying?'