Disclaimer: Ya know...

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get up, but I've been wicked busy lately. So don't sue me if this is shorter than usual. Edited Note Ha. Shorter than usual? This is possibly the longest chapter I've come across before the editing process started! .

Chapter 11: The Return…

I left the archery room, feeling pretty sore. 'And that was only warm-ups!' I thought sadly as I climbed up the stairs to the Gryffindor Tower. I was planning on taking a quick shower before everyone arrives back from Hogsmeade. The common room was pretty empty, some first years sat on the floor reading some books but looked up as I entered. I smiled at them and their faces grew pale. 'In that case . . .' my nice expression turned to a scowl and I eyed them.

When I returned to the common room about twenty minutes later and saw that the kids from the town have arrived back. Hermione, Ron and Harry placed themselves in a corner alone, probably talking about schemes about blowing up the school. Nice. I met up with Lily and we walked down to the stupid feast together. For the first time in a long time I sat and actually ate at the Gryffindor table.

"So, Lily . . . How was Hogsmeade?" I asked her, taking a sip of pumpkin juice.

"Boring as hell," she replied, not taking her eyes off Ron who was seated a couple of people down. I cleared my throat and she turned her attention to me. "Sorry."

"You need to pick a better boy to stare at."

"You need to shut up," she said harshly. Some girls around us snickered at her childish comment. I personally thought it was funny. Lily lifted herself up and gracefully walked over to where the trio was talking. She pulled Ron away from his two friends and whispered something into his ear. Suddenly his eyes grew and his ears and cheeks burned a bright red that rivaled the color of his hair. I was disgusted and lost the little appetite I had. That girl has some serious problems. I got up and began to leave the highly decorated Great Hall when I felt a tug at my arm. I turned to see Draco standing there. His blond hair fell from its place, letting a few stands draw attention to his deep gray eyes. I bite my lip hoping not to make him laugh because of my red cheeks. My skin felt like it was being held over a candle from where his hand touched me. And it lingered even after he released his grip.

"Yes Draco?" I asked him finally. He smiled at me.

"Let's go into the hall." I followed him into the entrance hall and waited for whatever he wanted to say. "I got this for you today." He held out his hand revealing a small box wrapped in shining silver paper topped with a dark green bow. Slytherin colors. I took the present from his hands and stared dumbstruck at him. "It's you birthday present, a real one."

"Oh Draco, you didn't have too-" I started, but he cut me off by laughing. "What's so funny?"

"I didn't feel like a kiss was a practical gift for a young girl. At least that's what Rilee told me." He listened to Rilee? Man this boy was doomed. But I was pleased nonetheless. It was a sweet notion. "Go ahead and open it." I nodded at him and slowly undid the neat bow.

"Nice choice of colors," I stated, as I unbound the spell-o-tape that kept the paper together. Underneath was a small little black box that flipped up. I knew what goes in these types of boxes . . . jewelry. I opened it gently and let out a small cry of joy when I caught a glimpse of the contents. Inside, was a silver locket with a small pale green stone in the middle; surrounding the gem was engraved snakes and small diamonds. It was too much for me.

"It's a peridot." I looked at him in confusion. "It's your birthstone." I let out a sigh. He knew more about me than I did. Malfoy approached me and took the small box from me. Taking out the necklace, he undid the chain and motioned for me to turn around. I held up my hair as he placed the locket around my neck and clasped it. I spun around and found myself an inch from Draco's face. "Open it." I looked down and opened the small charm. There was a picture of my mother ad father, smiling up at me, waving. Next to them was a little boy holding a baby. Then on the other side was a photo of Draco and I taken by Colin Creevey earlier that year. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes as I looked into his eyes.

"This is the greatest thing anyone has done for me," I whispered to him as I hugged him tightly. He kissed my forehead then rested his chin on my shoulder. I could've stayed like that forever, but he broke away when people started coming out of the Great Hall, heading to the dorms for the night.

"Look at me." I glanced up at him and used his thumb to wipe away the stray tear I had let loose. "See you tomorrow Blackie." He leaned down and laid a kiss on my lips. Some people stopped and watched me to see what I'd do, but I just kissed him back.

"Gotcha Malfoy." I licked my lips as I watched him walk away. I started towards the common room in a daze, not wanting anyone to ruin my mood I pushed ahead of everyone else. When I got to the portrait hole, I let out a huge scream. The picture . . . well, wasn't there anymore! Someone, or something had clawed its way through the Fat Lady. Pieces lay on the floor and some barely hung attached to what was left of the painting. I heard others stop and gasp as Percy Weasley pushed and called to us.

"Let me through, please. What's the holdup here? You can't all have forgotten the password- excuse me, I'm Head Boy-" He came into view and his face grew pale and he looked at me in horror. "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick!" The crowd split in two to let the headmaster and Professors McGonagall, Snape and Lupin through, they looked at the portrait hole, then at me.

"We need to find her. Professor McGonagall, please go tell to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady." Dumbledore's voice was calm but you could hear the slight peeved tone.

"You'll be lucky!" I followed the very annoying voice to see the same ghost that was tried to stick gum in a door when we were going to the staff room the first day of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"What do you mean, Peeves?"

"Ashamed, Your Headmaster, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the forth floor, sir. Dodging between the tress. Crying something dreadful. Poor thing." Codswallop.

"Did she say who did it?"

"Oh yes, Professorhead. He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see. Nasty temper he's got, that Sirus Black." Heads turned towards me, others screamed. Shit. This was the worst thing to happen.

"Prefects please escort the house back to the Great Hall and wait for my directions there. Professor Snape, can you please retrieve Miss Miketsu for me?" Snapoe nodded and walked briskly away. "Emily, please stay behind, I wish to speak with you." Oh joy. Lily shot me a look of sorrow as Percy herded them away like cows.

"Now, I know you have nothing to do with this whole mess," he paused and looked over at me. I was biting my lip and playing with my new locket nervously. "But I asked you to please ignore anything the other students say about you. I told Miss Riddle this when she first came here, you are not your father, and I don't think you are."

"I know, sir." He told me to join my classmates in the Great Hall when Nephiro showed up with Professor Snape, looking very confused. I gladly obliged, and practically ran to the hall. When I got there I stood over with Rilee and Draco and we waited for Dumbledore's orders. The professors walked in with a very angry Nephiro, she quickly joined us as the headmaster began to speak.

"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle. I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrance to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Head Girl in change. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately. Send word with one of the ghosts." He is leaving us, with Percy as our babysitter. Ah man! "Oh, yes, you'll be needing . . ." He waved his wand and the tables flew to the end of the hall, and hundreds of purple sleeping bags appeared. "Sleep well." He left with all of the teachers.

"This is exciting," I mumbled under my breath, pulling myself into a sleeping bag. Rilee gave me a look like "don't-even-start-that". I settled down and lay on my back watching everyone group up to talk behind Percy's back. The clatter died down some when Head Boy yelled for quiet and the lights turned off. I lifted the new necklace to view and sighed. Why did he have to do something like this? Now I feel like I'm in debt. I fidgeted with it some more, stroking the smooth silver with my pointer finger. I noticed on the back was a small inscription. 'To Emily, remember family is the most important thing in life, never forget that. With Love, Draco.' I couldn't believe he said that, but it was true . . . family is the most important thing . . . if your mother isn't dead, you dad isn't a wanted criminal and your brother isn't a psycho.

"It was my idea." I heard a whisper come from my right. I turn my head to see Rilee looking at my hands.

"Well, then I should be thanks to you instead of him," I whispered.

"His birthday is on the 2nd Black." His birthday? Crap!

"Thanks."

"Please, don't thank me." She turned onto her other side, exposing her back to me. I sighed again and closed my eyes.

A/N: I guess this turned out to be a normal length. Sorry about the way I ended . . . but Monsoon had to go and couldn't help me with the dialogue. Which is perfectly fine, lol, I need to get back into the habit of writing myself again.