OH NO! The first half of the year is over, and that means the story will be closing all too soon. WAH! I know I said I didn't want to do this story, but I changed my mind, and now it's just too fun. So stay tuned.

Disclaimer:

:tv music comes on, doo do do doo do:

Reporter: We interrupt this program for a special announcement: today, PomPomBom has been reported as saying. . .

PomPomBom: I do NOT own Harry Potter! So don't sue me!

Reporter: That will be all, thank you.

Chapter 5: The Beginning of the End

The snow fell so fast that soon the entire Hogwarts grounds were covered with a fluffy white blanket of snow. Everywhere Crystal looked there were the signs of winter. Younger children were constantly sledding down the sloping hill that led towards Hagrid's Hut, and there were people skating smoothly over the parts of the lake that were frozen. There was even a lively snowball fight going on, started by a few first years. Crystal felt like she was the only one not having fun, until she happened to glance at a nearby bench. There sat Malfoy, with a sour look on his face. He looked up just as Crystal did, and for a fraction of a second their eyes met, until Crystal looked away blushing

The next thing she knew, Malfoy had slid onto the bench right next to her. Crystal felt her breath catch in her throat as she turned to stare straight into those piercing grey eyes that belonged to the person who was her worst enemy. Or was he . . .?

They sat there for what seemed like an eternity to Crystal before Malfoy stood up and barely whispered, "Come with me."

Crystal stood up, utterly confused as to what this was all about. She followed Malfoy down the long path that led towards the Quidditch pitch. She wondered why Malfoy was bringing her there, until he suddenly veered off and headed toward the forest. Crystal followed him in about ten feet before Malfoy whirled around to face her.

"Po- er, Crystal, I want you to know that I am truly sorry for what I put you through this year." Crystal felt like screaming at him, shouting that he could never know the pain she had been through that year, but her mouth wouldn't form the words. Malfoy was so close they were almost touching. Their faces drew closer and closer together, until-

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU, CRYSTAL!! YOU SAID YOU WOULD LOVE ME FOREVER! BUT I GUESS THAT WAS BEFORE YOU PROMISED YOUR HEART TO, TO- HIM!" screamed a voice from behind. Crystal whirled around. Hermione was standing there, her tear streaked face pink with cold.

"Mione! I-" Crystal began, only to be cut off.

"Forget it Crystal." Muttered Hermione, as she turned towards the castle and disappeared behind the trees. Crystal looked from where Hermione had stood to where Malfoy was. She trembled with rage for a moment, before screaming, "DAMN YOU, MALFOY!" without another word Crystal turned toward Hogwarts and stalked off in its direction, leaving Malfoy alone in the swirling snow, with a shocked look on his face

That night, Crystal lay sobbing in her bed. She understood about what Hermione had said in fifth year about Cho, now. How Cho felt she was betraying Cedric's memory by liking Harry. Crystal HAD promised to love Hermione forever, but that was before, well that was before Crystal had existed. Why didn't Hermione understand that with the girl's body came a girl's hormones, thoughts, and instincts? The more Crystal thought about this, the more her anger focused away from herself and more at Hermione. Soon she decided that it was her right to be with Draco as much as she wanted, and no goody-two shoes know-it-all could stop her. With this thought she rolled over into sleep

The next day, at break, Crystal again met Draco outside. She ran up to him, saying breathlessly, "Draco, I though maybe we could pick up where we left off yesterday, y' know. . ." Crystal kicked the snow a little bit with the toe of her shoe, before hearing the reply: "Alright then." And the two disappeared into the castle, leaving a disbelieving silence in their wake.

Twenty minutes later the two appeared in the door of charms, looking very bedraggled and out of breath. Hermione glared at Crystal for a second before her eyes snapped back to her paper. Crystal felt one tear run down her face before she took a seat and began her notes

(A/N: Awww. . . poor Crystal. She's feeling all mixed up)

That night, the soft sound of footsteps walked into the library, moved over to a particular shelf, then stopped. The owner of the footsteps became apparent as a silvery cloak dropped to the floor and Crystal emerged. She pulled down a book, opened up to a page, and then turned her wand upon herself. A soft muttering was heard, and in the next second, a scream tore through the castle waking the Headmaster immediately.

A few minutes later, there was a group of about ten students and several teachers, including Hermione, who all stood in the library, huddled around a cloaked something, none of them daring to peek underneath. Just as someone stepped forward, the doors swung open, and Dumbledore swept up to the mass, waving his wand and then jabbing sharply at the thing on the floor.

The entire crowd held their breaths, then let them out when they heard a soft groan from beneath the cloak. A minute later, Harry, as he should be, stood up, to cheers from the crowd. Hermione shrieked and flung her arms around him, while a few of the boys looked quite disappointed. Harry was alright!

A/N: there, the last real chapter. please review! it made me happy, hope it made you happy too!