Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, nor do I own Harry Potter. (J.K Rowling owns them, lucky woman.) I only own my original characters and my own original plot.

P.S. The stuff in here ~(insert phrase)~ are the characters' consciences.

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Chapter 22: The Power of Words

"So Trelawney went into another trance again." Harry said.

"I always did believe that that woman was a fake." Hermione said.

They were at the Great Hall eating dinner. Jesabelle had come down pale, telling them exactly what had happened just a few minutes before, of course, leaving the parts about the truth being revealed out of her explanation.

"But she has never met my mother before." Jesabelle said. "Otherwise I would have known about it. I have never even seen her once in my entire life. And besides, why would she want to imitate my mother and say all those things? I don't think she's a joker, and that's pretty sick joke to play in the first."

"Did you tell Mal- Draco about it?" Ron asked.

"Not yet, but I'll probably tell him tonight." Jesabelle said, looking over at the Slytherin table. She noticed that Draco looked more detached than usual, poking at his food. She figured he was stressed or something and decided to ask him about it later that night.

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Draco had been poking at his food for quite a while. He had received another letter from his mother when he returned to his room at the Heads' Dorm to put his things away before he headed down to dinner.

A brown owl had delivered it. He had never seen it before. He had taken the letter and opened it while sitting in an armchair in front of the fire.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dearest Son,

All the preparations have been made for your induction into the league. The Dark Lord is very pleased that everything is going as planned.

I am sorry son, I know that you wanted to fight against him and your father, as I want to as well, but I am powerless here. I do not have a say in these things. Please forgive me, for I have tried, but I have also paid very dearly for doing so.

The Dark Lord already has things in place for his next move; all he needs is for you to be there with your father in Azkaban. How, he's going to do everything, I do not know for sure yet, but be ready for it. I would hate for you to be caught off guard, especially with Jesabelle. No one must ever know about the relationship that you two have with each other.

It really is such a shame that I never got a chance to see her again. Yes, son, I have met her before, and I must say, she is a wise choice. But you have to do what you must do for her safety; I can only hope that things will turn out for the best for both of you. I hope for good council for you, for I do not know how you will be able to perform the first phase of our plan, for I know it will be painful, even for you.

I can only hope that, if good really does prevail over evil, then we shall be saved.

You loving mother, Narcissa

P.S. Discard of this letter, I do not want the Ministry or anyone else finding this, landing you in jail. Send my love to Jesabelle, if you can.

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He still did not know how to "perform the first phase" of their plan. In all truth, he didn't know, nor did he want to. But he knew that it was the only way to ensure Jesabelle's safety. He just wished he didn't have to do it the way he intended to.

He finally got frustrated and left to contemplate his situation further at the Heads Dorm.

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Jesabelle watched as Draco got up and left the Great Hall. She could tell by the expression on his face that there was something big going on. What, she did not know. She got up.

"Are you going to talk to Draco now, Jesabelle?" Ginny asked.

"Yes." Jesabelle said. "Good night everyone."

They all responded with their good nights and Jesabelle headed out the Great Hall.

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Parker and Marshall were at the secluded end of the Slytherin table, nearest to the doors, talking in hushed voices.

"Did you receive the letter about the initiation?" Marshall asked.

"Yes, I just did about an hour ago." Parker answered, taking a bite out of an apple as she saw Jesabelle exit the Great Hall.

"Do you think Malfoy got one?" Marshall asked.

"Of course, Blake." Parker said, rolling her eyes. "He is a Malfoy, right? It's tradition for them."

"But I thought he was fighting on Potter's side." Marshall said disgustedly.

"Even if he wanted to, he doesn't have a choice." Parker said.

"True." Marshall said. "But," he began, "what does the Dark Lord intend to do about Jesabelle?"

"I'm not sure." Parker said. "I haven't received any further instructions besides to keep an eye on her and Malfoy."

"But, I heard that he's planning something big for her." Marshall said.

"That's true; we just don't know what it is yet." Parker said. "Just give it some time, Blake. After the initiation, that's when the fun will really begin. And we'll see if Jesabelle will be able to escape alive."

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Jesabelle walked into the Heads Dorm to find Draco sitting in an armchair in front of the fire, his head in his hands.

"Draco?" Jesabelle asked.

Draco looked up, the trademark Malfoy façade etched all over his face.

"We need to talk." Draco said, and Jesabelle was surprised to hear the expressionless tone he was using. He had never used that tone with her since Christmas. It sounded so foreign that it scared her.

"What about?" Jesabelle asked, sitting in an armchair beside him.

"About this so-called relationship we have." Draco said.

"So-called relationship?" Jesabelle asked.

"Listen, Potter, and listen good." Draco said, standing up. He used Potter, not Jesabelle. Something was wrong.

"Potter? What?" Jesabelle asked.

"Just listen." Draco said angrily.

Jesabelle winced and decided to keep her mouth shut. Eh never addressed her this way before. She could think of any reason why he should be in the first place. The fact that he had stung her, and before she knew it, she felt tears coming to her eyes. She knew the situation wasn't good.

"I do not love you, having realized that now, I am very pleased with myself." Draco said.

"What?" Jesabelle whispered.

"It was merely lust my dear. I only wanted you for my own pleasure, but since I could not even get that, I have decided that I do not want to have to waste my time forcing it on you." Draco said, the Malfoy smirk, playing on his lips. "There are many other girls in this god-forsaken school that would gladly have me in their beds."

"What are you saying?" Jesabelle asked, her voice getting louder.

"That you are of no use to me Potter." Draco said. "What we 'had' was nothing short of an act to get you in bed with me."

Jesabelle's tears flew freely as his words sunk in. He only wanted her for his pleasure? That cannot be possible. It was all over. He didn't love her. He didn't even care about her. It was all an act. Harry and Ron were right. They were RIGHT.

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"NO BUTS JESABELLE. MALFOY IS GOING TO HURT YOU. HE'S GOING TO BREAK YOUR HEART AND YOU KNOW WHAT?" Harry yelled, "I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO WANT TO OFFER YOU ANY COMFORT WHEN THE TIME COMES."

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Harry's words echoed through her mind as Jesabelle looked at Malfoy, an evil smirk sickening his handsome features. She wiped her eyes and turned away. She did not want Malfoy to know how much damage he had caused. She did not want to give him the pleasure of knowing how much she was going to cry for him.

"I understand, Malfoy." Jesabelle said, her back to Draco, spitting out his last name.

Then, she left. Out the portrait and down the hall she went, heading towards the Gryffindor Tower, not even sure if she was going to receive an "I told you so" from Harry and Ron. Not even sure if she wanted to even stay at Hogwarts anymore.

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Draco watched as Jesabelle left the room, her head hung low. He slumped into the chair.

He knew he hurt her. He just wanted to run after her. To pull her to him. To tell her that he was sorry. To tell her the truth.

He loved her, but this was the only way he could let her go without suspicion. He couldn't allow himself to let Voldemort pull her into the picture. It was dangerous ever since the beginning. But he didn't care. Despite the danger, he loved her. For that, he could very well kill her. He couldn't let that happen. This was the only way. If he told her the truth, then he knew that she would leave him.

"I'm sorry Jesabelle." He whispered, looking into the fire. "This is the only way."

~Is it really the only way?~

"Yes. Even you know that."

~I know. I just wished that there was some way we could have worked around this. You hurt her.~

"You think I don't know that?"

~I'm just saying.~

Draco sighed.

"What am I going to do now?"

~Just go on with your mother's plan. It's the only way you will be able to get her back now.~

"It's amazing how much words can really hurt a person."

~Yes, amazing.~

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the power of words!"

~Yes, the great power of words.~

"I would have died rather than to see her as hurt as she is now."

~This is the only way we can ensure her safety~

"Ensure her safety? We're not even completely sure that the Dark Lord isn't watching right now."

~True. But let's just hold to hope that will remain safe.~

"But how can we hold to hope when it is slowly slipping through our fingers?"

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There! How's that for a little surprise? Anyways, I hope you all like it!

Please read and review!

Coming Up...........

Chapter 23: More Death Eater sightings, the seventh year N.E.W.T.s, and Harry's reaction toward the break up.

Stay Tuned! ^_^