(Author's Note: I realized that chapter nine was an incredibly short chapter...but I just wanted that one part...hopefully things will be all right in the end. Review please.)

Chapter Ten:

The faint light made her eyes sting as she opened them. She couldn't pick herself up, her body felt cold with sweat. Numbness overtook her as her eyes began to adjust to the light. Shadows swept across the features of the ones who sat beside her. Etched with sadness and concern, they peered at her. One touched her, but she couldn't detect who. Suddenly her face felt as though it were on fire. Her cheeks felt enflamed and she could taste something funny in her mouth; it was tinged with bitterness. Then someone spoke, rather abruptly.

"She called for me...I heard her." It was a male, his tone was hurt and sounded distant.

"He hurt her. Look at the bruises on her face and arms." The new voice came into play just seconds after the first. It sounded very strained and tired.

"At least she's still alive. He gave her that."

"I doubt she'd be able to take much more of this. Tom's completely wiping her out. She won't be able to fight him when the time comes."

"He won't stop until she's his." The voices and their owners were becoming clearer. Of course. They watched over her...and he loved her. Gently he stroked her discolored cheek as she opened her eyes and let the tears fall on the boy's pale skin.

"She's awake. Hey...we thought we'd lost you for a while. See, she's fine. Right?"

She tried to speak, but her words wouldn't form. And then she realized at that point that she was so absorbed in those voices, that she didn't even realize how badly her throat hurt.

"She'll probably be silent for some time, Draco. It's been difficult...hasn't it?" Professor Snape leaned in; his pallid features looked rather tired and he spoke with calmness.

She felt herself nod and continue to frown as she shut her eyes. Something twisted inside of her and she rolled over and threw up all over the floor. Long red locks hung in her face as she forced herself to rise.

Draco looked stunningly beautiful; blonde hair falling over those eyes—the eyes that held her forever in his gaze—and again, his glasses reflected her very well known chocolate-honey eyes. His lips curled into a delicate smile as he took hold of her hand. Snape just stayed concealed in the shadows. Just like that night. It seemed so long ago...

"Tonight's supposed to be our picnic...we should do it another time."

"N-n-no..." Her voice was small, and it squeaked like a mouse. She couldn't remember the last time she had sounded so meek.

"What?" He blinked at her.

"I-I said no. We could just eat in your room."

"Another dance?" He seemed to be mimicking her from the other night, if she recalled correctly.

"Another dance." She whispered, while watching Snape try and heal her wounds. Some type of smile flickered across his features and he stared at her. He almost looked as though he cared for her...almost as much as Draco.

"She'll be okay...just needs to rest." He left without another word, leaving Draco and Ginny alone.

"What happened?" Draco leaned forward and brushed his fingers against her cheek.

"It hurt...when he threw me. I couldn't feel anymore...I needed you, I was scared. I wanted to die. He doesn't need this child any longer, so why should I?" The words caught Draco off guard and he moved to sit beside her.

"What about my fathering the child?"

"We can have our own someday..."

"You have one. It shouldn't matter what it is!" His voice was getting higher.

"Tom said this child was going to kill us all!"

"So...you're going to listen to someone who wants to convert you to the dark?"

"He's frustrated! He loves me!"

He gripped her arms and held her down. She was squirming but he didn't seem to care at all.

"He doesn't!"

"How do you know?" She didn't wince when he kissed her roughly, tangling one hand in her long crimson hair. Then he pulled away.

"Because...I love you, you little idiot."

He spoke softly before letting her go. Slowly she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down onto her. While reaching to take his glasses off, she brushed his hair out of his eyes.

"I knew you felt it..."

"For a long time."

"He's getting on my nerves...his ignorance is agitating."

Something felt wrong in the room now. And suddenly Draco winced and dropped to the ground. It was as though a foot were crushing his skull. He formed in front of her eyes, once more that day, smiling most viciously.

"He doesn't deserve to live, and since I have no use for the baby...I'll take the other thing that is so precious to you. He's a distraction, and those must be dealt with as quickly as possible."

She heard the sound. It echoed off the walls and she shut her eyes. Her body was becoming weak and she felt so sick. Coldness wrapped around her and she breathed it in. Draco was dead and Tom was taking her. Ginny wanted to send a telepathic message to Snape...wanted him to feel the danger she was in. She needed help...before she went fully under.

(Author's Note: This is by far my saddest chapter. I didn't want to kill him off...I should be killed! It was wrong of me to kill my favorite character, especially the way I did. But I had no use for him after he told her that he loved her...he'd never be able to father a demonic dark baby...only the true father(s) can. I'm sorry for all of you who liked Malfoy! But I think I'm going to stop for now with adding. I need to think of better things to happen in the next chapters.)