Magical Magick

--Dancing With Lightning

A/N: How are we all? I hope that's a: 'I'm good, DWL.' Don't you hate when you're so hyper because you've had half an hour of sleep? That was me yesterday. I was buzzing around, singing my brains out and jumping around the house. I know what you're thinking: I'm a freak. Well, maybe you're right. I have nothing much to say, I'll just complain about being back at school this week. I'll do my thankyous and stuff in chapter 14. Enjoy chapter 12, everyone!! BTW, sorry for not updating in so long!!! Our internet's been down!!! But, this chapter is terribly short, I'm afraid. It's kind of like a little thing that grows into something huge.

I'd just like to say thankyou for the amount of reviews I've gotten. Just a few more, and I'll have broken my record!!!

Searching —Ciaran—

I sat at my table, holding a gold wine goblet in front of my mouth. I wasn't drinking, though. I wasn't hungry or thirsty. In fact, I hadn't been since that rite two days ago. Someone pulled out a chair next to me: a man with his face covered by a hood. After he'd sat, he pulled back his hood, his red eyes focusing on me and his crude mouth half-smiling.

A short, fat man came half-jogging, half-waddling up to us, passing Voldemort a goblet like mine. Men filed into the room and took seats all the way down the table, their eyes focusing on Voldemort and me, at the head of the table. I raised my goblet to Voldemort silently, and he did the same. Then we both drank, the other men following suit. Three men ran into the room, stopping at Voldemort and my knees, bending down so they were on their knees and their foreheads touched the floor. Voldemort looked at the expectantly.

"Well?" he demanded.

The one in the middle looked up, fear in his black eyes. "Sir... she got away."

Voldemort's eyes widened in anger. I put my hand on his arm to calm him down. He glared at me. "These men deserve to die. They have failed us, by not capturing your daughter as I asked."

I frowned. "And when did we talk about this?"

"We didn't. I made this decision on my own."

I looked at him. "You make decisions with my help," I corrected him, annoyed.

He shook his head. "Not back then. This was before you got your magick back, and may I remind you, that was with my help. You were in no condition to help me."

I turned away with a sigh, looking at the men. "Where is she now?"

"Not at home," one said quickly. "We went there, just in case, and she's not home. Her little sister said so."

I sighed. "Fine. You have one more chance. Keep a lookout on her house. When she gets home, capture her. If you fail this time, you will die."

The men fled from the room.

—Morgan—

I sat in the Slytherin common room, with Draco's arm draped around my shoulders as he read a book. He looked up at me, then checked his watch.

"Go to bed," he said softly. "You really need to sleep."

I nodded, and he walked me out of the Slytherin common room to the Gryffindor one, hugging me before I went inside. It was quite dark in the common room: the fire was dying. Harry and Hermione were sitting in one corner, whispering over homework as a first year snored on the floor in one corner. They both looked up at me and smiled. I nodded to them, and wen upstairs to my bed, tucking myself under the covers and looking up at the roof. I felt my eyes fill with tears, and I impatiently brushed them away. Damned feelings!! I just wish I couldn't feel... I just wish I couldn't feel...

And so, repeating those words over and over in my head, I fell asleep.

—Draco—

Morgan had left a little while ago, and I still sat in exactly the same spot as when she'd left. Poor thing. She was so broken up about Hunter kissing another girl. I stood up. I couldn't let anything worse happen between Hermione and I. I had to do something... tell her I loved her. I'd humiliated her by my pride, and now I had to do something... but what?

I just didn't know.

Now I had an idea. The next day was Monday, and I had decided what I was going to do. I spent half the night thinking about it, and got to sleep at dawn, waking up five minutes later with Crabbe tapping my shoulder. I sat up, staggering over to a mirror and swearing. I looked like shit. Then Crabbe opened the curtains, and I sighed. A little better. The dark had made it seem worse. The shadows under my eyes weren't as obvious anymore. Good. Because I had to look perfect today.

Today was going to be perfect.

I walked down to the Great Hall and sat next to Morgan, who was playing with her food. I patted her shoulder reassuringly and she half-smiled up at me. Then I concentrated on my food.

Okay, so maybe what I was going to do wasn't half as bad as what I could have done, but it was still pretty cool. So, on the way to Potions, I walked a different way, making sure that I would cross paths with Hermione at one point or another. Walking down a hallway packed with people waiting to get into their classes, I spotted her, walking down the hallway towards me. She didn't see me though; she was with Harry. I was about to do the stupidest thing I had ever done. I walked up to her, gripped her chin, and kissed her. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't have to see the faces of everyone watching. The whole hall was silent... and I heard Harry swear under his breath.

I pulled away.

"Hermione..."

Her eyes swam with tears, and she smiled shakily up at me. "Draco... you just lost your reputation."

I nodded. "I know, darling." Like I cared, anyway. I was holding the girl I loved.

For a long time.